Wild got to their hotel in Edmonton at 3:30 am after playing in Vancouver last night. The Oilers have a lot of high end offensive talent. McDavid is so silky smooth. Fleury gave up 4 goals as Edmonton doubled up on shots 40-20. Fleury actually kept us in the game - especially in the first period where the Oilers dominated play (18-4 shots). Among the numerous high danger plays, were several odd man and Grade A scoring chances. The legs were noticeably heavy and the guys didn’t have the jump they have had lately. Despite that, two goals at the start of the second period separated by 26 seconds tied the game at 2-2. As the game wore on after that and especially in the third period despite the low number of shots, the wild had several high danger opportunities to score, but couldn’t get the equalizer as they trailed and eventually lost 4-3.
Interesting notes:
1. Hartman stood out and had a productive game. He played on the PP and the last 2 minutes with the goalie pulled - where he rang one off the right post. Also, his good play could be related to……
2. Hynes was double shifting Kaprizov in the second half of the game- he played first line, like normal, then took second shifts with Dewar and Hartman.
3. Perhaps not coincidentally, Dewar also stood out and scored another goal. (Hartman had a terrific assist on that goal.)
4. Brodin missed most of the 3rd period after a dirty hit by Kane who checked him from behind face first into the glass. I don’t think it’s a concussion- maybe lower back. Edmonton got a PP right after that happened as Hartman took exception. That PP included the eventual game-winning goal.
5. E-Ek and Boldy both scored, continuing their hot streaks
6. Zucc was shut out- 2 nights in a row
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