The Edmonton Oilers were able to walk out with a win last night against the New Jersey Devils. It wasn't a clean win, but the Oilers brought it when it mattered scoring 4 goals in the third. Three of which were in just over a minute.
The Oilers once again started the game off quickly as Ryan McLeod scored just 24 seconds into the game, then Nugent-Hopkins added a second at the 5:24 mark. The Oilers then allowed the Devils to work their way back into the game.
Mercer scored a goal with just under 7 minutes left in the first. The second period was one that the Edmonton Oilers would like to forget though as they gave up two goals. Not only letting the Devils tie the game, they let them take the lead.
All the problems of the second were forgotten as the Edmonton Oilers quickly took control of the game again. McDavid tied the game just 1:40 into the period then Draisaitl scored to take the lead 42 seconds after that. Then just another 27 seconds after that Erne scored on a great drive to the net. After that, the Oilers had the game in control. It was nice to see the way the Oilers played in the third.
The Oilers can't spend to long celebrating that win as they are in New York to face the Rangers tonight. The Rangers are the top team in the Eastern Conference, so this will be a hard game for the Oilers to come out with two points.
The last time these two teams face each other the Edmonton Oilers were a completely different team. They were in the middle of the "dark" part of their season. They weren't playing well in any game when they lost 3-0 to the Rangers back on October 26th.
Skinner will be getting the start tonight as Pickard started last night. The last time the Oilers face the Rangers Skinner played a solid game making 29 saves on 32 shots. If he puts up a simliar SV% as he did that game the Oilers should stand a chance.
Hopefully Oilers Scoring Continues
The third period was a goal-scoring clinic put on by the Oilers last night against the Devils. If they can continue to score more than 3 goals a game they should be able to come out of this game as winners. The movement of Erne in for Brown proved to be helpful for everyone. Draisaitl's line seemed improved with Foegele on it and Erne actually scored a goal, which is more than we can say for Connor Brown.
Another positive was the reuniting of the Nugent-Hopkins, Hyman and McDavid line. That line is the hottest in the NHL right now. I understood the logic in breaking it up against the Islanders, but it was a mistake and it was nice to see Knoblauch go back to it last night.
Tonight is a crucial game for the Edmonton Oilers. Either they will go 1-2 or 2-1 on this road trip. Going into the Christmas break a team wants to feel good about the way they have played, so it is not only about the standings, it is about getting ready for the second part of the season.