Draisaitl and the Oilers hope for a reaction against Chicago

After six straight wins, the Edmonton Oilers suffered a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. It is logical that the men around the German ice hockey superstar Leon Draisaitl wanted to do better three days later in the same place against the Chicago Blackhawks in order to be able to go into the break of the NHL All-Star Game with a good feeling.

The project was impressively successful on Saturday evening. The Oilers beat the visitors from Chicago 7-3 at Rogers Place and increased their season tally to 28-18-4 after 50 main round games. Draisaitl was once again among the scorers against the Blackhawks. He managed the important 2:1 in the second third, which paved the way for his team to victory. The Oilers’ weak home record increased to 13-11-3 with this success.

“I think we did a good job,” explained Ryan Nugent-Hopkins after game end. “Of course they challenged us a lot at the beginning of the game, but in the second period we just kept at it, kept playing our game and slowly pushed them back. Overall, we should be happy with the 60 points and take something positive with us at the break.”

This evening in Edmonton will be remembered above all because the Oilers used emergency goalie Matt Berlin in the last two minutes. The 25-year-old Berlin was born in Edmonton and plays at the University of Alberta. He only found out the morning before the game that he was supposed to be there for the Oilers’ performance that night. At 4.30 p.m. the final message came that he actually had to step in as a backup.

According to his own statement, he never thought he would actually play, but the coaches substituted him on shortly before the end. starter Jack Campbell wasn’t hurt. Those responsible gave the temp an unforgettable experience after the game had long since been decided at this point. Everyone involved in the squad gave him high fives and celebrated afterwards. The fans were also moved when Berlin came in. “It was something very special,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “We all knew he was going to be excited. But he managed it well. We were very happy for him.”

In terms of sport, McDavid shone in the first place, Zach Hyman and Draisaitl with one goal and two assists each. Tyson Barrie scored two goals and Ryan McLeod contributed a goal and an assist to the team’s success. Nugent Hopkins and Darnell Nurse recorded two assists each.

“We get great performances from players across the squad,” said Captain McDavid, praising the strong team effort. “I talked about that a few days ago. It’s not always just the goals. Kulak put up a great fight tonight, Jesse was physically strong, Klimmer was physically very convincing and we have valuable contributions from all sides get. If everyone participates, that’s a great thing.”

Goalkeeper Jack Campbell celebrated his sixth win in a row. He showed 25 rescue actions before he gave way to Berlin towards the end of the game, which after the illness of Stuart Skinner had been signed for an amateur tryout at short notice. Berlin saved the only shot he had to parry.

Barrie put Edmonton ahead with a wrist shot at 5:20 of the first period. Jason Dickinson equalized in the 26th minute with a shot from the slot to make it 1-1 after McDavid hit the post on the other side.

Draisaitl made it 2-1 on the power play (27th) when he converted a pass from McDavid. Barrie made it 3-1 after 12:15 after catching a stray puck just outside the goal line, which was deflected off Hyman in front of goal after a Nurse shot. McDavid extended the lead to 4:1 (34th). Shortly thereafter, Hyman increased to 5:1 (35), which finally made the preliminary decision on the ice. Edmonton clearly dominated the second period with a shot on goal ratio of 19:10.

Video: CHI@EDM: Draisaitl scores with a majority

“A lot has happened for us since the Christmas break,” said Nurse in relation to the increase in performance in recent weeks. “We want to continue that progress. The upcoming break is certainly good for us now so that we can rest and recover a bit. But when we come back we have to keep that attitude that has brought us to this point.”

In the final 20 minutes, both teams each scored two more goals, but they were only of statistical value. First shortened Jonathan Toews (49th) for Chicago to 2: 5. Evander Kane scored the 6-2 goal 12 seconds later after a turnover in Chicago’s half after accepting a pass from Draisaitl and hitting it from the right faceoff circle. McLeod then increased to 7:2 (52nd), before Taylor Raddysh scored for the losing guests (55).

Berlin’s big performance followed, which finally made the evening unforgettable for everyone in the Oilers camp.

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