The Edmonton Oilers saw their five-game point streak come to an end Tuesday night with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators, despite a spirited comeback effort. While the Oilers earned a point in the standings, the result tightens the race for the Pacific Division lead, leaving them tied with the Vegas Golden Knights-though Edmonton has played three additional games. This contest in Bridgestone Arena saw key performances from Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman,alongside the return of injured players Tristan Jarry and Jake Walman.
Stamkos makes it 1-0 Preds.
📹: Sportsnet
Edmonton responded with just over three minutes remaining in the first. A crisp cross-ice pass found Leon Draisaitl, but his initial attempt was stopped. Zach Hyman was there to bury the rebound, scoring his second goal in as many games and tying the score at 1-1.
Zach Hyman ties it 1-1!
📹: Sportsnet
Early in the second period, the Predators regained the lead. Matthew Wood’s shot from the point was initially saved, but Erik Haula was quick to pounce on the rebound and put it past Jarry.
Erik Haula makes it 2-1 Preds
📹: Sportsnet
Draisaitl, a consistent threat against Nashville, leveled the score at 2-2 seven minutes into the second. Following a faceoff win, the Oilers forced a turnover, creating space for Draisaitl, who received a pinpoint pass from Kasperi Kapanen and fired a one-timer into the net.
The Oilers took their first lead of the game with another power-play goal with seven minutes left in the second. Hyman was again in the right place at the right time, capitalizing on a loose puck in front of the net. However, the Predators quickly answered, tying the game just 38 seconds later.
Hyman Gives the Oilers a 3-2 lead!
📹: Sportsnet
The game went to overtime, where Ryan O’Reilly flipped a pass over Evan Bouchard in the neutral zone, sending an exhausted Roman Josi on a breakaway. Jarry managed to get a stick on the puck, but a quick pass from Brady Skjei to Josi allowed the Predators’ defenseman to score the game-winning goal.
Predators win it in OT
📹: Sportsnet
Takeaways…
OH MY GOODNESS TRISTAN JARRY WHAT A SAVE!
📹: Sportsnet
Connor McDavid extended his point streak to 20 games, recording two assists, both on the power play. Leon Draisaitl continued his dominance against the Predators, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Zach Hyman’s two goals give him 16 goals and 25 points in his last 22 games, a remarkable turnaround after starting the season with just two assists in his first six.
The line of Mattias Janmark, Curtis Lazar, and Trent Frederic had found success in recent games, posting a 78.1 percent expected goals share over their 21 minutes of action in the previous contest. Replacing Lazar with Ike Howard on this line proved ineffective, as the trio managed just 0.02 percent of the expected goals.
The Oilers’ third line also struggled. Andrew Mangiapane has filled in for the past two games, but his turnover led directly to the Predators’ first goal. The line of Mangiapane, Jack Roslovic, and Matt Savoie generated 51.1 percent of the expected goals. A change in personnel, potentially bringing back Ike Howard or Quinn Hutson, could be considered.
This was the first loss for the Oilers while wearing their cream-colored alternate jerseys. Entering the game, they were 4-0-0 in those jerseys, having outscored opponents 30-10. Their record now stands at 4-0-1.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
