GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 1
GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 1
The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets met on Tuesday night in a battle for standings supremacy. The Oilers, seeking a playoff berth, hung on to defeat the Blue Jackets.
First Period
The Oilers struck first at 3:52 of the opening period when Connor McDavid found Leon Draisaitl in front of the net for the easy tap-in goal. The Oilers controlled the majority of the period, outshooting the Blue Jackets 11-6, but could not extend their lead.
Second Period
The Blue Jackets tied the game just 1:13 into the second. After a strong shift by the Blue Jackets' fourth line, Sean Kuraly found himself alone in the slot and buried a pass from Cole Sillinger.
The Oilers regained the lead at the 12:07 mark courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Zach Hyman forced a turnover behind the Blue Jackets' net and sent a pass to Nugent-Hopkins, who made no mistake, giving the Oilers a 2-1 lead.
Third Period
The Oilers extended their lead to 3-1 on the power play at 6:25 of the third. Cody Ceci rifled a shot from the point, and Evan Bouchard was able to deflect it past Elvis Merzlikins.
Mattias Janmark added an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining, giving the Oilers a 4-1 victory.
Statistical Summary
| Team | Shots | Power Play | Face-Off Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers | 35 | 1-3 | 55% |
| Blue Jackets | 27 | 0-3 | 45% |
Analysis
The Oilers were the better team for the majority of the game and deserved to win. They were able to control the puck and generate more scoring chances than the Blue Jackets. McDavid and Draisaitl were once again the Oilers' best players, combining for three points.
The Blue Jackets were outplayed for most of the game. They were unable to generate much offense and were fortunate to only lose by three goals. Elvis Merzlikins played well in net, making 31 saves.
Impact on the Standings
The win moves the Oilers into fourth place in the Western Conference, while the loss drops the Blue Jackets to ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Conclusion
The Oilers have now won four of their last five games and are playing with confidence. They will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday night when they host the Anaheim Ducks.
The Blue Jackets have lost three of their last four games and are in danger of missing the playoffs. They will look to bounce back on Thursday night when they host the Vancouver Canucks.