Two goals from old friend Eberle lift Kraken over Oilers: Recap, Highlights, and Reaction

Seven minutes into the second period, the Kraken extended their lead. A pinch at the line by Mattias Ekholm kept the puck in the offensive zone, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins crept in a little too far, springing Ryan Winterton and Tye Kartye on a two-on-one. Winterton passed it to Kartye, who made no mistake to make it 2-0.

The Oilers cut the lead in the final five minutes of the second period. On a power play, Evan Bouchard’s slap shot beat Joey Daccord off the post and in. It’s good to see him get off the schneid, but overall it was a rough one for the right-shot defenceman.

The Kraken retook their two-goal lead, as Bouchard failed to keep the puck in, allowing Beniers to spring Eberle for a breakaway. Once again, the Kraken captain beat Skinner, making it a 3-1 game.

With five minutes left in the game, the Oilers got some hope. Ekholm’s shot from the point was tipped by Darnell Nurse, who was down low. Although Daccord believed Nurse tipped the pick above the cross-bar, the goal stood. It wasn’t enough in the end.

Takeaways…

Evan Bouchard didn’t have a great game. While he scored his first goal of the season, his missed shot and a poor decision to pinch led to the Kraken’s first goal early in the first period. In the third, he failed to dump it in, giving the Kraken a breakaway. Bouchard was also on the ice for all three of the Kraken’s goals, making him a -3.

Entering Saturday’s game, the Oilers rolled with the lines that finished Thursday’s game. It didn’t take long for head coach Kris Knoblauch to turn back to Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on the same line. At some point, it has to be obvious that this doesn’t work, right?

The one line that found success was the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jack Roslovic, and Adam Henrique line. Roslovic was the best of the bunch, playing his best game of the season.

Darnell Nurse had his best game of the season, scoring his first of the year. Jake Walman’s return to the lineup has been huge for Nurse in the last three games. Mattias Ekholm had another rough game.

The Oilers need to show some urgency. With the net empty, they passed it around far too often instead of putting the puck on the net. In the end, they registered one shot on net with the goalie out of the net. They’ve tried to pass it in far too often this season.

Statistically, the Oilers dominated the game, outshooting the Kraken and outchancing the Kraken in high danger areas. That said, all three of the Kraken’s goals came on odd-man rushes, two on odd-man rushes and one on a breakaway.

The Oilers needed a save from Stuart Skinner in this game. Facing 23 shots, Skinner allowed three goals for an .870 save percentage. With the Oilers playing a back-to-back, Calvin Pickard will probably get the start.

On Sunday, the Oilers are right back at it, as they head north to play the Vancouver Canucks for the second time this season at 8:00 PM MT. Hopefully, they can get back on track in that one.