Oilers end losing streak against Kraken

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Oilers end losing streak vs. Kraken


                           Kraken coach Dave Hakstol must wonder why his team isn't playing better on home i                               ice this season.

By Raymond V. Murphy

The Edmonton Oilers, the underachievers of the NHL, came to Seattle last night desperately in need of a victory. The Oilers, now 3-9-1, were picked by many at the beginning of the season to win the Pacific Division even ahead of the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights. So maybe the Oilers were just due to win a game – and that’s what they did.

After picking up three points in two road games, the Kraken dropped a 4-1 decision to Edmonton at Climate Pledge Arena. The visitors rang up four goals in the first period and hung on for a 4-1 victory. Forward Zach Hyman scored a pure hat trick, three consecutive goals, also the first three goals of the contest. While there was a fair share of Edmonton fans in attendance, only two hats were thrown on the ice, the traditional hat trick celebration. Hyman’s teammate Evander Kane was standing directly in front of the net, and many fans may have thought he would be credited with the goal.

While the Oilers were `up’ for the game – they bottomed out in their previous effort, losing to the San Jose Sharks, the worst team in the league (and were called out by their captain and two-time MVP Connor McDavid). Seattle alternate captain Jaden Schwartz felt the Kraken’s performance was the key to the game,

“We know what our game looks like,” said Schwartz, who has scored a goal in four straight games for the first time in his 11-year career. “I think it was just a mindset thing. We weren’t ready. We had a good first, maybe seven, eight minutes and then after that, we weren’t quick enough. We weren’t on (the puck) fast enough. We were backing up a little bit. Just watching them. It took us a little too long to recover.”

As for a Kraken highlight, Schwartz continues his torrid scoring pace- 14 point, eight goals and six assists, in 15 games. He’s been playing like he did in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs when he helped lead the St. Louis Blues to their only Stanley Cup. And don’t forget, Schwartz was injured most of the Kraken’s first season in the NHL- 2021-22.

After Hyman’s three goals, Dylan Holloway scored in the final minute of the first period. At the beginning of the second period, Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer was pulled in favor of Joey Daccord, who didn’t allow a goal the remainder of the contest (the Oilers were credited with 0 shots on goal in the third period). Chances are, Grubauer will be back between the pipes on Monday night as he’s always had good success against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche- notably in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

Schwartz’s tally came on a power play at 3:25 of the third period. Standing to the right of the net, Schwartz one-timed a nifty pass from Eeli Tolvanen. Schwartz’s score foiled a shutout bid by Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner. Schwartz’s marker came with Holloway in the penalty box for a crosscheck from behind on Kraken defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

Vince Dunn assisted on the goal and drew more cheers a few minutes later when he goaded Holloway, a former number-one draft[RM1] -pick out of the University of Wisconsin, into a fight for his `cheap shot’ on Dumoulin. It was the second consecutive game Dunn has been a fight, probably the only fights the Kraken have won this year. Jamie Oleksiak may be their best (and largest) fighter, but he hasn’t been in any scrapes this season.

What’s baffling, is that the Kraken continue to have a better road record, 3-3-3 for nine points, than at home where they’re only 2-4. Seattle’s also lost out on three standings points as they’ve lost three shootouts this season (six in a row going back to last season). Seattle hosts Colorado tomorrow (Monday) at Climate Pledge. The Kraken defeated the Avs , 4-3, Thursday night at Nicholls Arena. Seattle then plays at Edmonton (remember, they’re more successful on the road) on Wednesday night.

Scoring Summary

First Period

E- Zach Hyman (Evander Kane) 9:56. E- Hyman (Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) power play 14:00. E- Hyman (unassisted) 18:40. E- Dylan Holloway (Ryan McLeod, Cody Ceci) 19:42.

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

E- Jaden Schwartz (Eeli Tolvanen, Vince Dunn) power play, 3:25.

Shots on Goal- Edmonton 26, Seattle 18.

Hits- Edmonton 9, Seattle 17.

Penalty Minutes- Edmonton 13, Seattle 13.

Faceoff Percentage- Edmonton 45.8 Seattle 54.2.

 

 [RM1]

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