Leon Draisaitl assumes NHL scoring lead, Edmonton Oilers 5-2 over Nashville: Cult of Hockey Game Grades

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The Edmonton Oilers took their record to 8-1 on Wednesday with a 5-2 victory over Nashville.

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The Oilers kept many of the Predators’ chances on the outside and won the special teams battle, 1 of 2 in the PP, but 1 of 4 in the PK. Finally, the Oilers scored a goal for the second night in a row from a 4 ^th line player (although one who had been raised to 3 ^rd line tonight).

Here’s the story of the tape …

Edmonton Oilers Player Ratings

MIKKO KOSKINEN . 8. He stopped 30 of 32 shots, although his teammates did a good job of keeping the chances of high danger to a minimum. Koskinen made a strong early stop on Duchene, and a big one early in the 3 ^rd off Ekholm and took a dangerous-looking detour from a Josi point shot. A lot of people took a deep breath when Mike Smith got injured. But to his credit, Koskinen has had an excellent balance ever since. One of the main reasons this club got off to such a strong start in qualifying.

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CONNOR McDAVID . 8. 2 more assists tonight. McDavid skidded a crescent into the front zone, drawing the defender toward him before depositing a pass to Nugent-Hopkins in what became the 1-0 goal. Defeat 3 defenders while placing Hyman in the crease, but the winger failed to charge. A witty early 3 ^rd Take-out period that resulted in a tune-up for Draisaitl. Moments later, McDavid lured several defenders to him, then handed him over to Draisaitl, who drilled him from the slot. An unofficial helper at 5-2 when he fought 2 defenders (delayed penalty) and pushed the puck to Bouchard to start the sequence 5-2.

ZACH HYMAN . 6. Stoned at point-blank opportunity in 1 ^{S t} from a McDavid pass. 1 ^{S t} Take-out period. Good presence in front of the net at 2-1 and the puck cut him off and passed Yammo for 2-1. Cash 2 ^{North Dakota} Verification and retention period. Solid, hard-working and two-way game.

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JESSE PULJUJARVI . 6. Jesse Puljujarvi has been bitten by a snake lately despite playing regularly, so it was good to see him score the goal from the empty net to close the score at 5-2. He played very physical too, with 4 strokes. +2. Maybe now you don’t squeeze the stick so hard.

NURSE DARNELL . 7. Led the club on ice time with 24:16 and tied with teammate D for all CF events at 23-18, 56%. He recorded an assist and look at this line … 4 shots, 4 hits, 2 blocks and 3:08 with a low hand. Took a 2 ^{North Dakota} shorter holding period. Very good game. It seemed “in charge”.

EVAN BOUCHARD . 7. A 2 ^{North Dakota} Rotation period. A lovely pass to Turris for a late PP opportunity in the 2 ^{North Dakota} . An assist for his lead pass to Leon Draisaitl in the empty net effort. Put an impressive 4:33 on the PK. 2 shots, 3 hits, 2 blocks, +2. A good recovery performance after a bit shaky his last time.

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LEON DRAISAITL . 9. Another great performance. Draisaitl drew the Power play as he returned deep within his own zone to aid his Defense. Then he slammed his 8 ^th with a single timer a perfect Nugent-Hopkins pass into the high slot. He dropped Fabbro with a stiff check in the neutral zone in 1 ^{S t} . To 1 ^{S t} Periodic verification nullified a Jannot exit. In the 2 ^{North Dakota} PP period, his first chance was high, his 2 ^{North Dakota} hung up on the mail. But he made no mistake at 3-1, taking a McDavid feed and punching hard behind the Preds keeper. He slipped a pass to Puljujarvi for the late empty netter, even though there was an easy hat trick awaiting him. Selfless play. 6 shots in total. Helped end 5v3. He leads the NHL in scoring with 20 points.

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RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS . 8. Nugent-Hopkins has had a spectacular start to the season. A quick one-touch pass to Draisaitl for the Power Play goal and a 1-0 lead. So your 2 ^{North Dakota} Hyman’s deflected period shot up front and over Yamamoto for 2-1. A great pass to Zach Hyman that winger was drugged by young Connor Ingram (who was born in Imperial, Saskatchewan, a jump and a jump from where I grew up). Nuge was also good at PK, with 3:04 of work … although they lost the tie at 4-2. He leads the NHL in Assists with 13.

KAILER YAMAMOTO . 7. Yamamoto scored his 2 ^{North Dakota} goal in as many nights with a high, hard shot to the wrist after a nice pass from Nugent-Hopkins. 3 excellent plays separately in 2 ^{North Dakota} Period PK with Shore in the box. He also had 3 hits. It seems that he is returning to the routine.

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DUNCAN KEITH . 6. He did his job as the only man behind and took the pass from him on the 1-1 goal. A smart decision deep in his own zone led him to a clearing in a 2 ^{North Dakota} PK period. Moving the puck very quickly and effectively out of the attack zone. 1 shot. Played 19:22. Solid.

CODY CECI . 4. It is not your best effort. The main casualty on the 1-1 goal as he first coughed the puck along the wall and then over-engaged on his own line, allowing Nashville the odd-man run. Squashed in 5v5 shooting metrics with a sum of 15-25.37%.

DEREK RYAN . 4. Very effective at the PK in 2:13 of work. But he lost the battle of possession 5v5. The night between Shore and Perlini ended.

WARREN FOEGELE . 6. Unforced icing forced a showdown at the end of the oilers with less than 10 in the 1 ^{S t} . A sharp 2 ^{North Dakota} He won a vintage record battle and a resulting wrap shot. He won a battle of pucks off the wall and then led the net, as he slipped a perfect pass to Shore for 4-1.

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ZACH KASSIAN . 5. Kassian absolutely rocked Nick Cousins ​​with a thunderous 1 ^{S t} Periodic body check. Ceci’s draw could not be cornered at 1-1. He does not assist at 4-1 but played a role with a physical play behind the net.

KRIS RUSSELL . 4. I thought I saw veteran D-man struggle a bit. A nasty 2 ^{North Dakota} Fortunately, the period change ended up drifting off the crossbar and out. A strong area cleared under pressure at the end of the 2 ^{North Dakota} .

TYSON BARRIE . 7. Barrie earned an assist at 4-1 by effectively lowering the puck and letting the 3 ^rd line do the rest with a fast and hard cycle. What were his 400 ^th NHL professional assistance. It is no small thing. Congratulations to him. He has really stabilized his game defensively after a shaky start.

DEVIN SHORE . 7. He played well and rose to 3 ^rd line with good results. He slammed the 4-1 from the high slot after a tremendous effort from Foegele. An excellent 1 ^{S t} Checking the period. 2 hits. 60% in draws. His best game of the season to date.

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BRENDAN PERLINI . 5. 2 ^{North Dakota} Period robbery. 3 ^rd The period captured his best opportunity so far in the regular season. He had more jump.

KYLE TURRIS . 5. Good 2 ^{North Dakota} Period of opportunity after a pass from Bouchard. Nothing special, but overall the puck was headed in the right direction while on the ice.

This coincides with the best start for the Oilers in NHL franchise history. 8-and-1 Edmonton hosts the Rangers on Friday when the great Kevin Lowe sees his jersey properly lifted to the rafters.

Find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins

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