After recording three wins during a season-high six-game homestand, the Edmonton Oilers earned a much-needed victory Tuesday on the road.
The Oilers will aim to maintain momentum ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off break when they visit the slumping Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
Edmonton moved ahead of Vegas for first place in the Pacific Division after recording its fourth win in six games with a 3-2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues. The key to keeping their perch, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said, is channeling mental toughness against the Blackhawks and during Friday’s pre-break finale against the Colorado Avalanche.
“It’s important that we put in a good effort and win as many games as possible,” Knoblauch said.
Resilience lifted the Oilers in St. Louis. The Blues took a 2-1 lead midway through the third period with goals 3:46 apart before Edmonton rallied. Leon Draisaitl scored the equalizer with 2:14 to play, and Connor Brown scored 2:33 into overtime.
“It was good that we stuck with it, and we’ve seen that a lot this year,” Knoblauch said.
Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid, who contributed a goal and two assists, has points in seven of the past eight games. Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 37 goals, has points in four straight games and 12 of his last 13.
Chicago has 37 points, second fewest in the NHL. The Blackhawks have been idle since Saturday’s 5-1 road loss to the Florida Panthers, the club’s ninth defeat in the past 11 games (2-6-3).
Their visit to the reigning Stanley Cup champions started promisingly, as Landon Slaggert scored just seven seconds into the game to net the fastest game-opening goal in Blackhawks’ history.
Florida responded quickly, however, tying the game about five minutes later before taking the advantage for good midway through the first period.
With developing a young core looming as the central objective for the final six weeks of the season, the Blackhawks know there’s more to be gleaned from playing closer games.
While three of the club’s past six losses have come in a shootout or overtime, results such as Saturday’s lack teachable moments.
“When (bad shifts) happen over and over, I think guys tend to just fold in,” Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy said.
Murphy returned to the lineup after a groin ailment sidelined him throughout January. He said his physical condition was “good.”
With Murphy and other defensemen moving the puck, Chicago wants to stay consistent on breakouts as new, younger forwards grow acclimated to the system.
“Knowing where guys are going to be and knowing somebody’s going to be there so you can put it to a spot or an area,” Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez said of that acclimation.
Wednesday’s game will decide the season series between the Oilers and Blackhawks. Chicago defeated host Edmonton 5-2 on Oct. 12 before the Oilers responded with a 4-3 road victory on Jan. 11.
Chicago’s Teuvo Teravainen has three goals and three assists against Edmonton this season. The Oilers’ Corey Perry has scored in both meetings.
–Field Level Media
