logo
Player grades: Unsung Oiler is OT hero, Edmonton Oilers, 1, Vegas Golden Knights, 0

Player grades: Unsung Oiler is OT hero, Edmonton Oilers, 1, Vegas Golden Knights, 0

Article content
What does championship defense look like?
Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman demonstrate. pic.twitter.com/JEwb8n74wZ
— David Staples (@dstaples) May 15, 2025
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. Snapped a slot shot from inside home plate early on but hit post, not net. Chipped it up for McD's third period break-in shot. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST +0/-0.
Zach Hyman, 7. Worked his heart out, like he's done consistently in the playoffs. Came out like a drillbit slamming and shattering hardrock. Excellent backcheck with McD on Olofsson early on. Solid hit on McNab in the second. He set up Drai's early third period break in. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-1
Leon Draisaitl, 7. High event game. Beauty pass in OT. Some defensive miscues. A big ragged and lacking in danger on two early Oilers power plays. Where has his Executioner's Shot gone? He broke up a rush in the second, then rushed up ice to help on a Grade A shot. He broke in hard on a breakaway but could not beat Hill early in the third. A moment later he broke in again but failed to get it on net. GAS: ES +6/-3; ST +0/-0.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Evan Bouchard excelling with Edmonton Oilers in a post-season yet again
Evan Bouchard excelling with Edmonton Oilers in a post-season yet again

Global News

timean hour ago

  • Global News

Evan Bouchard excelling with Edmonton Oilers in a post-season yet again

Evan Bouchard has a reputation around the Oilers' locker room. Booming shot. Elite vision. Exceptional playmaking ability. And a heart rate that doesn't seem to ever spike. 'Sometimes maybe a little bit too relaxed,' Edmonton centre Leon Draisaitl said with a smile. 'He instils a lot of calmness around our room when the puck is on his stick. 'There's a lot of trust in him. He's just a great player.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's a lot of trust in him. He's just a great player." Bouchard broke out last season with 18 goals and 64 assists for 82 points in 81 games. He then added 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) in 25 playoffs contests in the Oilers' run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup. The 25-year-old is having another memorable spring. Story continues below advertisement View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery Bouchard became the second-fastest defenceman in NHL history to reach 50 career playoff assists behind only Boston Bruins great Bobby Orr, hitting the milestone in just one more game (60 to 59) than the Hall of Fame blueliner. The No. 10 overall pick at the 2018 draft was also averaging 1.11 post-season points per contest in his career heading into Game 4 of this year's final Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The only player with higher mark? Orr and his eye-popping 1.24 points per contest. Story continues below advertisement 'It's definitely just a cool thing,' the soft-spoken Bouchard, also a man of few words, said of hearing his name mentioned in the same breath as a one of hockey's legendary talents. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy His numbers dipped a bit in 2024-25 to 67 points (14 goals, 53 assists) in 82 games. Bouchard had seven goals and 15 assists in 19 playoff games ahead of Thursday. Oilers captain Connor McDavid said the Oakville, Ont., product's defensive detail has vastly improved. 'A guy that's always understood the offensive side and makes great play after great play,' said the superstar forward. 'Just to see him dig in defensively, take on a role on the penalty kill, it's been impressive. He's been really, really solid.' 1:52 Edmonton Oilers fans from around the world descend upon Florida Edmonton centre Adam Henrique, who joined the club towards the end of last season, has been equally impressed with Bouchard's growth when the puck isn't on his stick either setting up scoring chances or blasting one-timers from the point. Story continues below advertisement 'Rounding that entire game out can take awhile,' he said. 'Often you see young defencemen coming in, they might have one aspect figured out, but trying to grow their game to be an all-around player that every single team wants, it takes a bit of time. If one of those things is your absolute strength, you lean on it so much that maybe it will take away from the defensive side of things. 'He's so confident with the puck. He sees the game so well and he's so smart. But you've really seen the other side come a long way.' Fellow defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who often lines up beside Bouchard, said his teammate has a knack for stepping up in key situations. 'Big-time player,' Ekholm said. 'He shows up in the big moments. I don't think there is a moment that's big for him. He just treats it like any other day. … That's what's most impressive about him. He's played tremendously for us. 'I don't think we would be in this position without him.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I don't think we would be in this position without him." Bouchard downplayed his season and playoffs, but has been pleased with the progression. 'A little slow start, but I like the way it's going,' he said. 'I like where I'm at right now and still more to give.' Story continues below advertisement 3:57 Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Recap with Adam Wylde Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said Bouchard's composure has always stood out. 'Really impressive, especially for a younger guy,' said the longest-serving member of the current roster. 'He always finds a way to raise his level. We've come to expect that from him. Defencemen usually have a harder time to get a grip in this league. He's been able to do that seamlessly. 'We have a lot of confidence in him back there.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We have a lot of confidence in him back there." Edmonton winger Evander Kane said Bouchard has raised is own bar in the playoffs, especially when it comes to intensity in his own zone. 'He gets a lot of opportunities,' Kane said. 'He plays in a lot of big situations.' Bouchard has stepped up in all of them to date this spring. The Oilers will need even more in order to secure the franchise's sixth Cup and snap Canada's title drought dating back to 1993. Story continues below advertisement 'It's the (most fun) time of the year,' he said. 'It's a time you really have to bear down.'

Major Oilers line-up shuffle: Two veterans moved in, two out, one bumped up
Major Oilers line-up shuffle: Two veterans moved in, two out, one bumped up

Edmonton Journal

timean hour ago

  • Edmonton Journal

Major Oilers line-up shuffle: Two veterans moved in, two out, one bumped up

Article content This in from the Oilers practice, news of major line and d-man pairing changes at the Edmonton Oilers practice. Jeff Skinner and Troy Stecher appear to be moving into the line-up, with Viktor Arvidsson and John Klingberg moved out, and Connor Brown bumped up to the top line. Ryan Rishaug@TSNRyanRishaug Stecher with Nurse Brown on 97 line with 93 Article content Tony Brar 🚀 @TonyBrarOTV EDM lines – Thursday Morning Skate: RNH – McDavid – Brown Kane – Draisaitl – Kapanen Skinner – Henrique – Frederic Podkolzin – Janmark – Perry • Arvidsson, Ryan, Jones Ekholm – Walman Nurse – Stecher Kulak – Bouchard • Klingberg, Emberson, Dineen My take 1. Hmm. I like the players being moved in, Jeff Skinner and Troy Stecher, and think it's the right thing to turn to them just now. But I don't know why Viktor Arvidsson would be taken out and not Trent Frederic, who has struggled both with injury and with making plays in the offensive zone. Frederic's game lacks explosiveness. Meanwhile Arvidsson has played strong two-way hockey and scored a key goal in Game 1 against Florida. 2. For the third year running Darnell Nurse has struggled to find his 'A' game in the playoffs, even as he so often brought it in the 2024-25 regular season. This has meant a constant changing of the guard when it comes to Nurse's partners, with Cody Ceci, Vincent Desharnais and Brett Kulak all struggling along with him last season, and Evan Bouchard, Brett Kulak and Klingberg struggling with him this year. But Philip Broberg eventually came in to form a steady pairing with Nurse last year. And Troy Stecher has brought out the best in himself and Nurse this year. It's critical that the Oilers get solid minutes out of Nurse and Stecher, and they're a solid bet to give the team just that. Latest National Stories

Oilers likely making a change for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Who starts in goal is a mystery
Oilers likely making a change for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Who starts in goal is a mystery

CTV News

time2 hours ago

  • CTV News

Oilers likely making a change for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Who starts in goal is a mystery

Edmonton Oilers' Stuart Skinner (74) and Calvin Pickard (30) celebrate their team's win against the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Friday, May 31, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Kris Knoblauch said Wednesday the Edmonton Oilers are likely making a change in their lineup for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, though the second-year coach would not reveal what it would be or who he plans to start in goal on Thursday night. Stuart Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard late in Game 3 after allowing five goals on 23 shots on the way to a 6-1 defeat. Pickard allowed one more in mop-up duty. Knoblauch, captain Connor McDavid and others defended Skinner's play, insisting the team needed to be better in front of him. 'We've got to help him, for sure, and I think that he's been playing unbelievable in the last, what, three, four, five weeks,' defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. 'I don't know how long it's been now, but it feels like a long time and he hasn't had a bad game. Maybe last night was one of those when it was good to get it out of the system. Hopefully it's one of those, a night off.' Skinner has allowed 13 goals on 97 shots in the final, an .866 save percentage. Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed nine on 125, a .928 save percentage. 'He gives us a chance every night,' Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues said. 'That's all you can ask for, right? Some big saves, key saves at key moments and we're not taking him for granted, that's for sure.' Edmonton started the playoffs with Skinner, went to Pickard after two losses to open the first round against Los Angeles and won six in a row. Pickard was injured in the second round against Vegas, so Skinner got the net back and has been the starter since. He allowed 10 goals on 132 shots in five games against Dallas in the West final, a .924 save percentage. 'Calvin was playing really well but I think, also, we've always felt confident in Calvin,' Knoblauch said. 'Calvin's always been a guy who (has) been able to come in and give us good, quality starts.' The play in front of the crease is a bigger concern for the Oilers. Veteran defenseman John Klingberg is a team-worst minus-4 through three games. 'John's been great through the playoffs: He's gotten us through a lot of rounds,' Knoblauch said. 'At this time of the year, you want depth. You know there's going to be injuries and things you have to change up to your lineup.' Troy Stecher, who played a handful of games earlier in the playoffs when Ekholm was out, figures to take Klingberg's place if that is the move. 'Troy's been very valuable to our team, through regular season, playoffs and probably one thing we as a coaching staff appreciate a lot from Troy is just how dependable he is,' Knoblauch said. 'No matter if he's playing big minutes regularly, hasn't played for a long period of time, any time we've needed him he's given us really good minutes and usually not making mistakes.' Top-line forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is again going to be considered a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. Nugent-Hopkins did not skate Tuesday. The Oilers had a (well-attended) optional practice Wednesday that included McDavid and Leon Draisaitl among the more than half-dozen players on the ice. Ekblad's hit One of the most noticeable moments of Game 3 was Aaron Ekblad connecting with McDavid on a clean, hard open-ice hit. McDavid almost helicoptered down to the ice as Panthers fans cheered. McDavid went to the locker room not long after but with an equipment manager, not a member of the training staff. Ekblad did not think much of it. 'I didn't think it was that big hit, no,' Ekblad said. 'I don't even think I got him that good, realistically. So, I don't know, I'm just trying to get in his way and separate man from puck and that's all you can ask for against a guy like that.' The body checks are piling up. Ekblad had three of the five on McDavid in Game 3, and the reigning playoff MVP has been hit nine times in the series. Florida has outhit the Oilers, but not by much: 137-124. Maurice's memory Only nine-time Stanley Cup champion Scotty Bowman — father of Oilers general manager Stan Bowman — has coached more games in the NHL than Florida's Paul Maurice. With that comes some full-circle moments. On the other bench in the final this year and last is Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey, an assistant on Knoblauch's staff. Maurice when asked about older players delivering in the playoffs in light of Brad Marchand and Corey Perry starring in the final told a story about making Coffey a healthy scratch for the first game of the first round in 1999 against Carolina in his 'foolish youth.' 'He handled it great,' Maurice said. 'He said, 'I don't agree with it, but I understand it.' He went back and I think he rode the bike for about three hours. ... And then he went into Game 2 and he was maybe our best player (and) one of the best players on the ice. And I always remembered that as these older players view the playoffs differently.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store