The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. The Oilers' goals were scored by Nugent-Hopkins, Gagner, Zaitsev (own goal), and Hyman. The Blackhawks' lone goal was scored by Bedard. The Oilers secured their 8th consecutive victory, with McDavid and Bouchard contributing to the win. The game saw a strong performance from the Oilers' 4th line and goalie Skinner. The Blackhawks struggled on the road, losing their 7th consecutive away game.
The @EdmontonOilers win their 8th straight. EDM's 4th line of Gagner (1-1-2)-Hamblin-Ryan with a big goal for the 2nd consecutive game! McDavid 0-2-2, 10-game point streak (6-19-25) Bouchard 0-2-2, 12-game point streak (5-13-18) Skinner solid, 22 saves, has won 7 straight starts
Bedard and McDavid shared the ice for 6:45 of 5v5. In that time, the Blackhawks had a 7-6 advantage in shot attempts, 3-1 in shots on goal, 4-3 in scoring chances and 1-0 in goals, per Natural Stat Trick. McDavid and the Oilers obviously did their damage elsewhere, though.
It only took 26 games, but #LetsGoOilers are finally over .500 for the first time this season after a 4-1 win tonight against Chicago, their 8th consecutive victory. Helluva turnaround. Amazing what happens when you get stable play between the pipes (1.63 GAA during the streak).
The Oilers cruise to a 4-1 victory over Chicago. Make it eight straight wins.
FINAL: Oilers 4, Blackhawks 1 Hawks get locked down after Bedard's early goal and lose their 7th consecutive road game.
GOAL, Oilers. Hawks trail 4-1. Hyman tap-in in front for the PPG.
GOAL: Hyman. 4-1 Oilers. Redirect in front.
2nd intermission: Oilers 3, Blackhawks 1 Hawks face an uphill climb after Zaitsev's...miscue. The stats are what you would expect. Shot attempts: 34-51 EDM Shots on goal: 19-22 EDM Scoring chances: 16-27 EDM
END OF PERIOD 2: Nikita Zaitsev's own-goal sends the Oilers into the locker room with a 3-1 lead. Shots are 22-19 Edmonton.
Oh man, Nikita Zaitsev just redirected the puck into his own net. #Blackhawks https://t.co/XD8h70KQRf
Draisaitl throws the puck in front from the sideboards and it goes off Zaitsev's stick and in. Assists to Ceci and Gagner. 3-1 Oilers
GOAL, Oilers. Hawks trail 3-1. Zaitsev with the ownest of own goals you'll ever see. Oh no.
GOAL: Zaitsev just scored into his own net. Deflected in a Draisaitl shot. Oof.
Halfway through the game, the Blackhawks, with four rookies on the back end, have held the Oilers to just 12 shots on goal.
First Period Ice Time in Edmonton. Bedard 6:11 McDavid 6:10 They have not disappointed.
1st intermission: Oilers 2, Blackhawks 1 A very entertaining period. Bedard and Crevier each nearly tied it in the final seconds. SOG 14-9 Hawks.
A nice forecheck by Brett Kulak (!!) leads to Derek Ryan setting up Sam Gagner for a goal. 2-1 Oilers.
GOAL, Oilers. Hawks trail 2-1. Gagner pops it over Mrazek after Kulak and Ryan beat Phillips and Johnson in a battle below the goal line.
GOAL: Gagner off a bang-bang pass from behind the net by Ryan. 2-1 Oilers.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finishes off a saucer pass from Connor McDavid. The Oilers tie it 1-1.
GOAL, Oilers. Tied 1-1. Nugent-Hopkins picks the corner after beating Roos (and kinda Reichel) down the center of the ice.