Edmonton Oilers Drop Shootout Decision to Coyotes
The Edmonton Oilers started off strong, but ended up falling to the Arizona Coyotes, 3-1 in the shootout.
Despite two first period goals courtesy of Connor McDavid and Adam Larsson, the Oilers couldn’t hold onto the lead, or extend it. Beyond that, the Oilers made a couple of mistakes that eventually cost them the game.
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Jordan Eberle and Missed Opportunities
One issue that plagued the Oilers throughout the game involved one of their top wingers. Despite picture-perfect passes from McDavid, Eberle missed the puck, fanned on his shots or missed the net.
For a player that is looking to prove his potential as a top line, elite NHL winger, Eberle did not look the part Friday. He struggled to make the most of his opportunities, despite numerous attempts and chances on the power-play and at even strength. His missed shootout attempt was just icing on the cake for a poor overall effort.
Ederle did escape with an assist, but if he wants to show he is capable of being a first-line player and a team scorer, he will need to step p and work on finishing plays. That means working on one-timers and overall puck-handling, considering it didn’t seem he took too much care of the puck throughout the game.
Maintaining the Lead
A late deflection led to Shane Doan tying the game for the Coyotes, and this eventually cost the Oilers the game. With this in mind, Edmonton needs to have more defensive awareness, and use their arsenal of physical players to get those opposing players out of Talbot’s crease.
Not only that, they allowed the goal with about half the third period remaining, which is not the time they should have dropped the ball. Prior to that goal, the Oilers allowed a couple of scoring chances off of turnovers and poor possession. If they want to win hockey games they’ll have to hold on to their leads, obviously, but also have a bit more fight when handling the opposition. That way, they maintain control over the game.
Cam Talbot Couldn’t Catch a Break
The Oilers allowed 41 shots on net from one of the most struggling teams in the Western Conference. Given Arizona’s arsenal of players, ranging from forwards like Max Domi to defensemen like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Oilers should have been more defensively aware and stepped up to maintain possession of the puck and shutdown the Coyotes’ offense.
Talbot managed to stop 39 shots in regulation (and then surrendered two in the shootout), but he was the main reason that the Oilers got a point Friday. Edmonton did not protect their goaltender or give him a chance, as seen with the Doan deflection try.
The Oilers are going to have to give more help to their goaltender, especially if they want that insurance to win hockey games.
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