The Edmonton Oilers silenced the critics tonight with a 6-0 trouncing of the Los Angeles Kings tonight at Rogers Place.
After losing game one on Monday, fans were starting to think “here we go again”, but the Edmonton Oilers shut that up with their play tonight. They were absolutely dominant tonight.
After taking a few penalties and playing a pretty even game throughout the first period the Edmonton Oilers took over the game in the second period. They outshot the Kings 19-9 and outscored them 3-0.
In the first period the Kings had 3 powerplays and the Oilers were able to kill them all off. If the Oilers give up a goal on one of those powerplays this is a completely different game. Good news is just like in game one the Oilers were able to not give up a goal against while shorthanded.
In the second period the Edmonton Oilers were able to flip the script. They get one powerplay goal on their two attempts. Edmonton was even able to twist the knife on a struggling Kings powerplay by scoring a short handed goal.
Ryan McLeod was able to add an even strength goal near the end of the period to make it 3-0 heading into the final period. It was a hard working goal from the fourth line. Something this team will need if they want to go on a deep run.
In the final period things only started to go better for Edmonton. An innocent dump in by Keith was deflected by Evander Kane then off a Kings defenceman went past a confused Quick for an easy 4-0 lead for Edmonton.
Just after that the Kings gave up another goal as McDavid and Puljujarvi had a two on one. McDavid was able to get the puck over to Jesse and Puljujarvi made no mistake and buried it. The game was pretty much over at this point, but I hope this goal gives Jesse Puljujarvi confidence moving forward.
The Oilers added another powerplay goal in the middle of the third. The game was already out of reach for the Kings, but it was nice to see the 2nd unit get a powerplay goal.
After that goal the Edmonton Oilers sat back and protected the shutout for Mike Smith. It was nice to see Mike Smith have an excellent game. After giving the puck away for the game winner in game one, for him to come out and put up a donut shows that this could be good sign from him moving forward.
The Positives
- Oilers powerplay goes 50% again
- Oilers penalty kill doesn’t allow a goal and scored one
- Oilers 56% on the faceoff
- Brought it 5v5, 3 even strength goals
- Jesse Puljujarvi gets a goal, hopefully gets hot moving forward
- Mike Smith…. What a bounce back game
- Evander Kane putting in 2. He could be the best mid season addition this season
The Negatives
- The third line of Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan and Archibald is looking more like a fourth line
- Too many penalties, thank goodness the Kings powerplay isn’t any good
- Still a slow start, mostly due to penalties, but if this can be remedied this Oilers team will beat the Kings easily
It may only be on game, but the Edmonton Oilers played an excellent game tonight. Hopefully they can keep this play going, if they do they should make short work of the Los Angeles Kings.