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Riley Sheahan, 4. He was a bit slow on the backcheck in the second on a Patrick Kane Grade A chance. He played just 6:51.
Zack Kassian, 2. Too quiet. Accomplished little. He had not one hit all game. Not one hit. No one. Almost became the hero in the third but he couldn’t lift the puck over a sprawling Crawford.
Jujhar Khaira, 3. He was puck watching in the first and allowed a point blank slot shot. He played just 6:55.
Gaetan Haas, 5. He looked good out there. His speed was welcome. Charged down the wing in the first and set up Alex Chiasson for a hard jam shot.
James Neal, 7. He brought veteran intensity all game. Looked dangerous on the attack. He was yet again James-on-the-spot setting up RNH’s goal. Almost scored on a gorgeous Draisaitl power play feed early in the third.
Alex Chiasson, 6. He played his usual hustling game. Busted hard down the wing to get off a shot in the second, with James Neal almost cashing in on the rebound.
Ethan Bear, 5. Failed to take out Matthew Highmore’s stick on Chicago’s second goal. He was run hard into the boards from behind and left the game in the second. When he returned, he got off a wicked point slapper, pretending he was a Blackhawks d-man for a second there. He was solid, but not inspired. More needed from him and other d-men on the attack.
Darnell Nurse, 2. He missed the net with a few seconds left, which summed up his night. Not sharp on his passes much of the game. Bobbled the puck repeatedly. He was the victim of an iffy penalty call on a Drake Caggiula dive on Edmonton’s five minute power play in the second. He bobbled the puck in the second leading to a lightning Chicago blitz ending with Koskinen stopping Kane point blank. A terrible game, I’m sorry to say. Out of sync, like many of the Oilers.
