Top 3 Oilers studs versus Predators
For the first time this season we get to do a positive review, with a look at the three best Edmonton Oilers players in the 6-1 win versus the Predators.
What a nice turnaround for the Edmonton Oilers, after Saturday’s frustrating 4-3 loss in the home opener. Tuesday night saw them make sweet music in the Music City, as they beat the Predators 6-1.
There was plenty to like in the Oilers’ first win of the season, with a trip to Nashville providing the perfect tonic after their 0-2 start to the 2023-24 campaign. Here are the three players who stood out most, in the emphatic win versus the Predators:
1) Jack Campbell
We simply have to begin with Jack Campbell, who was under a lot of pressure entering Tuesday night. Coming off the worst statistical season of his NHL career, things couldn’t have started much worse, in the season opener versus the Canucks.
However, Campbell took the nightmare in Vancouver on the chin, and responded with an outstanding effort versus the Predators. The Oilers were outshot 15-11 in the opening period, but their goaltender did not allow a single goal as the visitors opened up an insurmountable 4-0 lead.
In all, the 2010 11th overall draft pick stop 42 of 43 shots, for an excellent 0.977 save percentage. This undoubtedly looked more like the version of him Oilers fans witnessed during a strong preseason.
Of course, one game does not a season make, with Campbell still needing to shake off his reputation of being talented but inconsistent. However, the form shown on Tuesday night certainly gives him something to build momentum off of.
The 31-year-old spoke to the media about responding to his previous start and how he was able to look good from the get-go in Nashville. He said:
“There were just a couple of little tweaks that I thought individually I could make. I thought it paid off tonight, where I got a little bit more aggressive. … It’s a humbling league. You can never get too overconfident. Feeling good is great and you strive for that feeling. Thankfully they gave me some rubber early and got me into the game.”
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft pointed towards his goalie’s performance as setting the stage for the win. Speaking to the media, he said:
“He played the way he expects to play, he played the way we expect him to play. He made numerous big saves, he looked like he was confident and big out there. He allowed us to get into the game and find a way to win it. We got contributions from a lot of people, but certainly Jack’s contribution stood out above the rest.”
2) Leon Draisaitl
Move aside Glenn Anderson and Ryan Smyth. Leon Draisaitl is now officially the power play king of Edmonton.
When Draisaitl gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead at the 8:11 mark of the first period, he overtook Anderson and Smyth, with his 127th power play goal. He then made it 128 during the second period, to extend the Oilers advantage to 5-1 on the night.
Speaking to the media about the achievement postgame, the four-time All-Star was refreshingly humble. He said:
“Obviously two incredible players that have done a lot for this organization. To be part of that list is pretty special. This is obviously as much of a tribute to my teammates as it is to me. I’m well aware of how smart the hockey players I have around me (are), so very fortunate to be on the receiving end of it.”
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It seemed almost fitting that the four-time All-Star should achieve his feat against the Predators, who he always does well against. In fact, with 24 goals in 24 games versus them, he is now the only active player to average a goal per game versus one opponent. (Minimum 20 games, as per Sportsnet Stats.)
Further, Draisaitl has 30 points (18 goals and 12 assist) in his last 10 games versus the Predators. On Tuesday night specifically, he also had two assists, resulting in a four-point game for the 23rd time in his NHL career.
Woodcroft was understandably very complimentary of the 27-year-old and everything he’s doing right now. He said:
“I said earlier in camp that I think he’s the best power forward in today’s NHL. He’s the modern version of the power forward. He’s versatile. He can play either wing, plays in the middle. His power-play performance is quite special … His game tonight was outstanding and I’m happy for him.”
3) Zach Hyman
Since arriving in Edmonton ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, Zach Hyman has taken his offensive game to greater heights. During his first season, he helped the Oilers advance to their first Western Conference final since 2005-06, with 16 points (11 goals and five assists) in 16 playoff games.
Then, last season saw the 31-year-old set career-highs, with 36 goals, 47 assists and 83 total points. As such, his slow start to this season was frustrating, albeit no different than a lot of players on the team.
As a result, Woodcroft decided to shuffle the forward units ahead of the trip to Nashville, with Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being joined on the second line by Warren Foegele. The move undoubtedly worked.
Nugent-Hopkins had his second straight three-point game, while Foegele had his first goal and assist of the season. However, the majority of the credit goes to their linemate, as Hyman scored once and added three assists, for the third four-point game of his NHL career. (The other two came last season.)
The Toronto native discussed how he thought his line performed on the night. Speaking to the media postgame, Hyman said:
“A lot of fun. I think we’re a work-based line. Foggy brings a lot of energy and pace, and he’s got a heck of a shot. … I think we have good chemistry. We played together a little bit for (parts) of last year, but obviously a good first game together.”
The 2010 fifth round draft pick was also asked about scoring his first goal of the season, although he was more bothered about the Oilers getting the two points. He said:
“It’s always good to get the first one. It always feels good. So yes, just get on the board, get in the win column, and start the road trip off on the right foot.”
In an ideal world, the Oilers of course want Draisaitl leading his own line. For now however, the current second unit looks capable of causing plenty of problems for opponents, with Hyman more than doing his bit thanks to an excellent work ethic.
Next. 3 reasons why the Oilers beat the Predators. dark
Overall, while being happy with the three studs selected, Nugent-Hopkins, Foegele, Evan Bouchard and a certain Connor McDavid are all at least worthy of mention. It certainly makes a pleasant change for the Oilers, when compared to the season opener versus the Cancucks, when there were numerous contenders for the three duds in the 8-1 loss.