Out-manned Edmonton Oilers fall 5-1 at Winnipeg: Cult of Hockey Player Grades

Article content

The Jets froze a close NHL lineup in Winnipeg on Wednesday. The Edmonton Oilers did not. And that’s the story of the film in a 5-1 loss.

Article content

We shouldn’t read much more about this loss than the victory the Oilers scored against a low-manned Kraken squad the night before. The Jets played with nearly twice as many veterans, including their best offensive players and their best goalkeeper. Edmonton fought better than Seattle the other night. But the score was not very different.

This was an evaluation game for the Oilers. Period. So, let’s do the same …

Edmonton Oilers Player Ratings

ILYA KONOVALOV. 6. It’s … exciting. Two standout saves for Konovalov in the first were on Michael Eyssimont early, then a spectacular recovery save after he had delivered the puck on his own punt attempt. The 2-0 was a detour, 5 holes. And I thought there was contact in the 3-0 crease. But since this is a “just” exhibit, it won’t be reviewed much unless a federal crime is committed. Stopped 14 of 17. There is some talent there, sure. He kept the club in it in the 1st. It also handles the disk well (mostly).

Article content

STUART SKINNER. 5. Skinner didn’t get much help. Defeated 4-0 with a tall and tough one after his Defense partner collapsed in front of him. The 5-1 came off a wild rebound that landed the puck right on Kyle Connor’s stick with nothing but the net to look at … and he didn’t miss. Stopped 7 of 9. And no real chance on 2 that he beat him.

RYAN McLEOD. 6. McLeod got off to a slow start to this one, but picked it up as the night wore on. Could not put a disk in 1^{S t}, that the Jets turned around looking for an opportunity against. But a smart and clear recovery in a 2^{North Dakota} PK period. And excellent defensive control in front of his own goal at the start of the 3^rd. And a 3^rd Period shot at the end of a quick run. 57% in their draws. McLeod, Kassian and Foegele had some chemistry together.

Article content

WARREN FOEGELE. 7. He and McLeod had multiple chances atop the Jets’ slot in the first inning, but couldn’t clear a clear shot. Drew a 2^{North Dakota} PP period. I had a great opportunity at the end of the 2^{North Dakota} after getting a favorable rebound from the linesman at the Winnipeg end. In the 3^rd, took a stolen puck deep in the Jets zone and jammed it in the net. Take away and a late shot. Awarded an assist at 4-1. He and Kassian were the best two forwards on the Oilers. Named 3rd of the game^rd Star.

ZACK KASSIAN. 7. Got an assist on goal from Malone with a battle won along the wall followed by a small chip pass. Handled a shot on goal in 1^{S t} Period after McLeod and Foegele created a commotion on the front lines. He prepares Kesselring for a shot at the net in a delayed penalty sequence. Install Sceviour right on the doorstep at the end of the 3rd^rd. Probably the best player for the Oilers in what was otherwise a rough night. After Kassian’s challenging 2021, his performance in this one was one of the best news tonight.

Article content

SLATER COOKIE. 4. He failed to box his man up front at 3-0. But otherwise he was pretty decent, along with Evan Bouchard. Probably a preview of the Oilers 3^rd pairing for much of this season. 2 shots, 4 blocked shots.

EVAN BOUCHARD. 4. Evan Bouchard was defeated by Eyssimont in 3-0. A bad bounce from his skate led to 5-1. And overall, it wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen it. He only managed 1 shot at the net. -2 at 22:03.

COOPER MARODY. 4. Not close enough to his man up front at 1-0. Marody’s best moment was a center pass on the 3^rd that Griffith couldn’t convert. He played a lot of Center, but all he illustrated was that he is not an NHL pivot. Only 17% in the confrontations. -2.

TYLER BENSON. 5. That alone won’t earn you a spot in the NHL. To 1^{S t} Period tip on the net from a shot by Evan Bouchard. Drew a 2^{North Dakota} PP period after Blake Wheeler ripped the stick out of his hands. Set up Sceviour for a good 3^rd Possibility of period. But it didn’t click much for him despite decent effort. Benson finished with -2 on the night.

Article content

SETH GRIFFITH. 4. A very calm 1^{S t} 2 period. But it had a 3^rd Take-out period. I got alone at the end of 3^rd and took it off the porter’s shoulder. He skated quite well but it was a tall event. Marked by a -3. He rescued his game with a pretty good final 20 minutes.

WILLIAM LAGESSON. 5. Quietly solid, including a couple of decent turns on the PK. I didn’t care at all. The strongest of the 6 D Oilers tonight at 6:07 pm on the job … including 1:54 off staff.

CODY CECI. 4. Ceci was poorly walked by Harkins on the 4-0 goal. Take a couple of useful shifts as the PP quarterback in the 2^{North Dakota}. He made 4 shots at the net and played 23:52, the most of the team. That big mistake colored an otherwise acceptable effort.

BRAD MALONE. 6. Put on a solid, veteran effort. He landed a wrist shot from the circle head-to-head to make it a 4-1 game heading into the locker room after 40. A good 1^{S t} Control period in your own area. A good clearing in a 2^{North Dakota} PK period. 4 hits. He will be in Bakersfield, but it’s hard not to admire his ethics and intelligence.

Article content

LUKE ESPOSITO. 5. You have no chance to join this club, but someone forgot to tell you. An effective shot block on a 1^{S t} PK period. Later in the period, he circled the net and scored a backhand to goal. Failed to upgrade to a hard load Sceviour on a 2^{North Dakota} Rest period.

COLTON SCEVIOUR. 5. A key steal and punt on the Jets 1^{S t} PP period. Shot in the high slot at the beginning of the 3^rd from a Benson pass. It started on the wing, but moved to the Center in the middle of the night and it wasn’t bad. I couldn’t capitalize on a good rhythm from Kassian in front of the net late in the game. Nice montage for Bourgault up front, late. Making a load of play in that 4RW opening.

MARKUS NIEMELAINEN. 4. The greasers 3^rd The matchmaking struggled throughout the game. The pace seemed to be faster than what Niemelainen is used to playing. He landed 3 hits in the night and blocked 2 drives

Article content

MICHAEL KESSELRING. 3. Victimized by the 1-0 goal when he left his feet under a heavy Jets forecheck and then slowly backed toward the front of the net to cover his man. He was overcome much of the night.

ADAM CRACKNELL. 4. There are no major mistakes, but his speed often left him a ½ step behind the pace. 63% in draws. He will be a good professional in Bakersfield again this season.

OSTAP SAFIN. 3. He whistled for a 1^{S t} Violation period within 175 feet of your own net. His skating has improved this season, but not enough to help him excel more than once or twice at NHL rhythm. Knocked down by a 3^rd period slap shot to the foot.

XAVIER BOURGAULT. 5. Has skill. A smart 1^{S t} The period rushes down the right side, ending with a tricky setback in the Jets’ goal. His pass triggered a shot from Cody Ceci in that 2^{North Dakota} PP period. He went up a line as the night wore on and missed a wide open net late. Not bad for the crudest newbie on ice.

Find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins

Recently at The Cult …

McCURDY: McDavid wows the crowd in front of fans (again) at Rogers Place

STAPLES: Can the Oilers afford to keep Josh Archibald around?

LEAVINS: The Josh Archibald Enigma