Player grades: Defenders score, checkers assist, stars struggle as topsy-turvy Oilers eke by Sens - Edmonton Journal

#84 William Lagesson, 6. Perhaps my favourite sequence of this entire game was the epic one-on-one battle that pitted Lagesson against Nick Paul that saw the Ottawa forward aggressively forechecking the Oilers rookie late in the first period. The battle continued for a good 15 seconds, with Lagesson shielding the puck, trying to advance it up the wall but running out of room, instantly putting up a roadblock of his own to prevent Paul from winning the race to the corner, getting (and using) support from his partner Larsson for a moment, before finally winning the day to establish possession and safely move the puck out of the zone. Oilers spent much of his 13 even-strength minutes slugging it out behind their own blueline, but Lagesson was tagged with exactly 0 mistakes on dangerous chances. The coaches reportedly are very high on this young defender and I can see why.

#93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 4. Among those beaten for the goal on the game’s first shift, and one of the defensive culprits on the Senators’ best cluster of scoring chances late in the second. Did have a couple of good looks at the other end but was unable to solve either Ottawa goalie. Had a splendid shift at the beginning of Ottawa’s long powerplay, combining with Khaira to control the puck deep in Sens’ territory for the better part of 30 seconds.

#97 Connor McDavid, 5. Didn’t seem to have the usual jump in his step, not that surprising for a man who played 73 minutes of NHL hockey between Saturday and Tuesday. Ottawa played him physically, as they did Draisaitl, and to good effect. McDavid was throwing his own weight around a little, officially credited with 1 hit though I saw plenty of robust play from the Oilers’ captain. 7 shot attempts, 3 of them on net, but a defensive culprit on the early Ottawa goal. 6/15=40% on faceoffs. Made a good clear and pass to Draisaitl with the empty net lurking, but the German hit the post square on from 80 feet, that close to extending the scoring streaks of both men. That the Oilers were able to win without either hitting the scoreboard was a first since 2017.