The Edmonton Oilers finally broke their four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, dominating the Los Angeles Kings with an 8-1 victory. This win bumps their season record to 28-23-8, giving them 64 points. Let's dive into the action and see how it all unfolded.
After a quick start in their previous game, the Oilers took a bit longer to find the net this time. Ty Emberson opened the scoring nearly seven and a half minutes in, capitalizing on a weak-side rush and sending the puck past Darcy Kuemper for a 1-0 lead.
The Oilers wasted no time extending their advantage. Less than a minute later, Vasily Podkolzin netted his 13th goal of the season. Andrew Mangiapane set him up beautifully, and despite Kuemper getting a piece of it, the puck found its way into the net.
The Kings briefly responded with former Oiler Warren Foegele deflecting a shot past Connor Ingram, cutting the lead to one. But the Oilers had more in store. Just three minutes into the second period, Mangiapane struck again, tallying his seventh goal of the season off the rush.
Connor McDavid then showcased his brilliance, scoring his 35th goal by outmaneuvering Kuemper, who was left sprawling. McDavid circled the net and tapped the puck into an open goal.
The game was effectively sealed midway through the second period. On the power play, Leon Draisaitl's missed shot bounced off the boards, and Zach Hyman was there to bury it for his 24th of the season.
The Oilers kept the pressure on as the third period began. Just 31 seconds in, McDavid set up Draisaitl, who fired a shot past the Kings' netminder, making it 6-1.
Five minutes into the third, after a Kings' icing, Matthew Savoie set up Jake Walman, who unleashed a powerful shot for his sixth of the season. Walman wasn't done, adding another goal shortly after by sneaking in on the weak side.
This performance was a marked improvement from the previous game. The Oilers showcased a solid defense and an aggressive offense, with their defensemen actively joining the rush. Ty Emberson and Jake Walman both scored using this strategy, highlighting the team's dynamic play.
The Oilers also displayed a newfound feistiness, engaging in scrums and showing passion that had been missing earlier in the season. Trent Frederic's antics drew a penalty that led to a milestone for McDavid, who notched his 100th point of the season with a goal and an assist. This achievement places him alongside legends like Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky, reaching the 100-point mark for the ninth time in his career.
Andrew Mangiapane also had a standout game with a goal and an assist, marking his first multi-point game of the season. His partnership with Frederic has been noticeable, and it was great to see him rewarded.
The trade for Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks has paid dividends, as he delivered a strong performance with two goals. His pairing with Darnell Nurse, who was a +3 with an assist, was effective throughout the game.
Matthew Savoie continued his impressive form post-Olympic break, adding two assists against the Kings. With 10 goals and 23 points in 60 games, he's becoming a key contributor.
Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman were also instrumental, with Draisaitl scoring his 30th goal of the season and adding three assists. Hyman chipped in with a goal and two assists, continuing his hot streak.
In goal, Connor Ingram was solid, stopping 21 of 22 shots for a .955 save percentage. It's his ninth game in 15 with a save percentage over .900, making a strong case for him to be the starter moving forward.
Next up, the Oilers face the San Jose Sharks, who are on a five-game losing streak. It's another opportunity for the Oilers to build momentum as they continue their road trip.