Saturday was a busy evening for Canada’s NHL groups, and some made statements that go a good distance in each the standings and in constructing crew confidence. The Edmonton Oilers have discovered their offense and reminded everybody why Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the league’s most threatening duo. In the meantime, Vancouver had gamers step up when Elias Pettersson unexpectedly went lacking in motion. Lastly, the Flames got another excuse to be assured that the season isn’t a write-off.
For followers of Canadian hockey groups, these performances are price noting.
Oilers 6, Jets 2 – Evan Bouchard Purple Scorching
The Oilers jumped on a drained Winnipeg Jets crew, who have been enjoying in back-to-back contests. Edmonton has exploded for offense, and the Oilers dropped 4 objectives within the first interval and cruised to a 6–2 win at Rogers Place. Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard every had a purpose and an help, whereas Connor McDavid added two helpers.
Edmonton’s first-period dominance—16–5 in pictures—set the tone early. As effectively, Stuart Skinner’s calm play within the crease saved the Jets from mounting any severe comeback.
McDavid and Draisaitl proceed to raise their teammates, however Bouchard’s recreation has actually come on robust of late. The crew added scoring from the fourth line, and defenseman Alec Regula performed a season excessive, on the ice for greater than 20 minutes. The Oilers seem extra balanced and linked, which followers would say is lengthy overdue.
Canucks 4, Wild 2 – Raty Breaks Out
Aatu Raty stole the present in Vancouver, scoring twice and adding an assist in a 4–2 win over Minnesota. His efficiency means that he might turn into greater than a short lived fill-in. The timing of his emergence is almost excellent. Räty isn’t but a family title. Nevertheless, there’s likelihood he can provide the Canucks a stable middle.
Tom Willander scored his first NHL purpose, and younger defenseman Elias Pettersson additionally contributed, serving to the Canucks snap a five-game slide. Willander is an integral a part of Vancouver’s youth pipeline, which might form the form of trades the Canucks are keen to make as they store veterans and UFAs.
Nikita Tolopilo’s 28 saves supplied regular goaltending, permitting Vancouver’s younger forwards to take calculated dangers and generate offense.
Flames 2, Mammoth 0 – Wolf Stands Tall
Calgary’s Dustin Wolf posted his second shutout of the season, turning apart 27 pictures in a 2–0 win over Utah. Yegor Sharangovich scored simply 16 seconds in, the Flames’ quickest opener since final April, and Connor Zary sealed the win with an empty-netter. Calgary’s penalty kill has been stellar, going 17-for-17.
Outdoors of a blip towards the Lightning, Wolf has discovered his recreation for the Flames. His shutout comes after a .963 save proportion outing towards the Wild and a .917 efficiency towards Nashville. He’s bouncing again from a tough begin.
Additionally bouncing again is Sharangovich, whose offensive instincts are lastly displaying returns.
Commerce chatter will proceed to encompass the Flames, however wins behind a franchise goaltender might change how a lot the group is keen to contemplate.
Associated: Oilers Confirmed to Have Curiosity in Jarry, However Snag Holding Up Commerce
