The Edmonton Oilers have entered new territory in the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era, with this being the first time both players have been absent for the team through injury. As we wrote about on Saturday, the superstar duo will be out for up to a week, although the speculation is that it will actually be at least a week.
In any event, McDavid and Draisaitl were definitely both missing at the same time on Saturday night, for the crucial home clash versus the Seattle Kraken. With the team fighting to clinch at least second place in the Pacific Division and have home ice in the first round of the playoffs, how would the team respond?
Well, it wasn't always pretty at Rogers Place, but when it was all said and done, they held on for a tense but enthralling 5-4 win. And in the process the Oilers proved that they do have the mental fortitude -- and talent -- to survive without two of the best five hockey players in the world.
Stuart Skinner continued his nightmare post-trade deadline run of form, as he allowed four goals on 31 shots. In his six games since Mar. 7, Skinner has given up a combined 18 goals and recorded a subpar .871 save percentage.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins impresses in style in for the Oilers
Fortunately for the Oilers though it didn't ultimately matter, as the team came through with five goals even without their superstar duo. And at the heart of this offensive onslaught was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored a hat-trick for the first time this season and fourth time in his NHL career, to deservedly take home the First Star of the Game.
Not that Nugent-Hopkins was thinking about any individual accomplishments or accolades, when speaking to the media postgame. As per Gerry Moddejonge of NHL.com, he said: "We obviously believe in ourselves and our group no matter who’s in or out of the lineup. We understand that when you lose two of the best players in the world that you’re going to feel it. But I think the way that you play as a team shouldn’t matter too much who’s in and who’s out."
The 31-year-old's most important goal was his third one, coming with just 2:17 remaining in the game to make it 5-3. Adding to the dramatics of the moment, his hat-trick was completed in a short-handed situation and scored courtesy of an empty-netter.
As a result of the nature of that third goal, Nugent-Hopkins completed a cycle of shorts, with his other two scores coming at even strength and then on the power play. Of note, this was his first hat-trick since back in March of 2019.
Oilers all about teamwork versus the Kraken
Getting in on the goal-scoring act were Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner, to help secure the two points for the Oilers. For Skinner in particular it will be interesting to see if he's now set to finally show why he was signed in the first place, with his goal following on from two in the previous game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Again though, the Oilers won't care who scores the goals, just as long as people continue to in the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl. As things stand, the duo will likely be missing for at least two more games.
Mattias Ekholm was impressed with how the lines performed, especially on a night when the Oilers' defensive game wasn't at its best. Also as per Moddejonge, the heart and soul of the blue line said: "Whether it was [Jeff Skinner] or ‘Nuge’ scoring goals, or if it was guys on the fourth line stepping up and giving us some quality shifts, up and down the lineup, we did a good job. It's nice to see guys that don't really usually get those minutes, maybe (play in) those certain situations, and they got them tonight, and they did a good job.”
It is both telling and encouraging, that so many players are willing to take on the extra playing time without the team's superstar duo. As per Mark Spector of Sportsnet, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said: "Absolutely, they're excited. They’re engaged more, they look at the shifts coming up and they know they're going to be playing regularly, rather than defaulting to two of the best players. You feel better about yourself and you contribute."
With the win the Oilers remain in second place in the Pacific Division, although it is worth noting they have played two more games than the Los Angeles Kings, who sit two points back as of Sunday morning. Regardless, next up they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, in what will be an even bigger test without their two best players.
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