Top 3 Oilers studs from excellent 4-1 win versus Devils
In one of the most complete performances of the season by the Oilers, we look at three players who stood out in the 4-1 win over the Devils.
When it’s going good, it’s going good; there’s just no stopping the Oilers right now. They beat the Devils 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, to extend their NHL-best winning streak to seven games.
For some context, the Oilers only had one longer win streak in 2022-23, and that was the nine consecutive victories to close out the regular season. Regardless, the team is on a roll right now and are within three points of a playoff spot following Sunday’s slate of games.
The win over the Devils was one of the most efficient, professional and team efforts yet this season; nothing flashy, just about getting the job done. However, there were still plenty of standout performances, as we count down our top three players from the game:
3) Darnell Nurse
For all the criticism the Oilers quite rightly received for their defensive play earlier this season, Sunday’s game might have been their best effort of the season to date. Everything about their collective performance was outstanding.
Of particular note, the team blocked 22 shots and went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Players such as Vincent Desharnais, Mattias Ekholm and Cody Ceci all deserve credit for the part they played.
However, for us, the top defenceman on the day was Darnell Nurse. In many ways the poster boy for the Oilers’ sorry displays at the back to begin this season, he’s been magnificent of late.
Of course there will be those who say this is how it should be for a seventh overall draft pick, with a cap hit of $9.25 million per season. However, this doesn’t take away from just how excellent Nurse has been of late.
Against the Devils specifically, the 28-year-old was the leader in so many ways. This included having team-highs of seven blocks and 24:15 of ice time. (Incidentally, both were also game-highs.)
Heck, Nurse even tied for the team lead with five shots, including one which hit the post. However, this was all about his defensive performance, which was highlighted by his hustle back to prevent what looked like a certain goal for Nico Hischier.
Postgame, the Hamilton, Ontario native was asked about the overall team defence and how stingy it’s been of late. Speaking to the media, he said:
“The commitment to defence throughout the whole group, is the reason why we’re in the position of climbing our way out of the spot we were in. We’ve really committed and buttoned down on the defensive side, and that’s not so much sitting back. It’s playing a more simple game offensively and sensing danger when things are maybe not going to bounce in the right direction, or we’re not taking that chance (with us) we’re having guys back.”
2) Connor McDavid
When you’re hot you’re hot, but damn, Connor McDavid is streaking right now. No matter how well the team has played as a collective during this seven-game winning run, he is the number one key to it all.
When McDavid is in a zone, there’s no one better in the game. (Well there isn’t anyway in general, but you get what we mean.) After his middling — by his standards — 16 points in 16 games to begin the season, he has since totalled 20 in his last seven appearances.
This included two on Sunday afternoon, when the 26-year-old scored one of the easiest goals of his NHL career. The Devils goaltender went walkabout behind his net, Evander Kane won the puck and set up his teammate for the empty net tap in.
McDavid would return the compliment late on, as the Devils were chasing the game with the extra skater. The Oilers captain stole the puck and set up Kane for an empty netter with just over three minutes remaining, to complete the scoring at 4-1.
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The five-time Art Ross Trophy winner could have had another point, but was denied by the post during the second period. Overall though, he was at the heart of the majority of what the Oilers did offensively.
McDavid also got himself involved physically as he led the Oilers with four hits, including one which admittedly he should have got penalised on. Regardless, maybe he’s been motivated by the recent talk of his defensive game lacking.
In any event, number 97 is back and it should strike fear into the rest of the NHL. Yes there’s a long way to go and the Oilers still aren’t in a playoff spot, but they are headed in the right direction thanks to their superstar.
Thanks to his points surge, McDavid has jumped all the way up the scoring charts from outside the top 100, to tied eighth as of Monday morning. He finds himself on 36 points and is now just four behind second place and 11 behind first, with Nikita Kucherov having played five more games.
1) Calvin Pickard
As much as the Oilers had to give Stuart Skinner a game off at some point, there was still an understandable concern about Calvin Pickard facing the Devils. The visitors had won three straight and six of seven, and they were one of the top scoring teams in the NHL.
In the end however any concern was unwarranted, as Pickard proved to be excellent versus the Devils. He saved all but one of the 27 shots he faced — and it wasn’t his fault on the one he did let in — and overall provided a calm stability you just don’t get from Jack Campbell.
Admittedly the 31-year-old didn’t have much to do during the first two periods. However, he come through when necessary, to stop the 12 shots he did face and keep the Devils at bay.
Then, when the Devils stepped up their game during the third period with 15 shots, Pickard similarly stepped up his performance. This included making a major save shortly after the visitors had scored their one goal, to stop them gaining any more momentum.
Helping make the occasion even more special for the Moncton, New Brunswick native, he had his wife, children and other family members in attendance at Rogers Place. The end result was picking up his first NHL win since December of 2021.
To get some idea of what Pickard means to his Oilers teammates, consider the words of Nurse. He said:
“He gets along with everyone, it’s just the way he carries himself. He’s always asking guys questions, how they’re doing and whatnot, and has a good grasp of everyone in the room. I think that’s what makes him so special as a teammate, and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
In his limited action with the team since being recalled, Pickard has a .918 save percentage and 2.24 Goals Against Average. If he continues to play well when called upon, it will only further complicate the decision surrounding Campbell and his future in the organization.
Next. 6 Choices for Oilers on the future of Ken Holland. dark
The 4-1 win over the Devils was also notable for the Oilers reaching the halfway point of their longest homestand of the season, with them a perfect 3-0 so far. Next up comes the highly anticipated first meeting with Connor Bedard, as they host the Blackhawks on Tuesday night.