Wretched luck doomed the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday. It was Edmonton’s second tough loss in a row in Florida.
In both games, Edmonton gave up early two-goal leads and lost the game. But this loss had more to do with horrid bounces than any lack of effort or mental mistakes. Newcomer Calvin Pickard was sharp, even as he let in five goals.
In total, when it came to Grade A shots (which go in 25% of the time on average), Edmonton had 12, Florida 16, with the subset of 5-alarm shots (which go in 33% of the time), Edmonton seven, Florida 11.
Connor McDavid, 8. He pulled a Draisaitl, ripping in his own version of the Executioner’s Shot, pounding in a one-timer from near the sideboards and on the goal line. He made great passes on an early power play, but Hyman, then Draisaitl could not score. Next set up Bouchard for a 5-alarmer early in the second, but again no red light moment. He and Draisaitl got twisted and turned around, allowing a pass and 5-alarm shot in the second. After getting hauled down on a rush, he calmly drained a penalty shot. He got banged up and beat up, but kept at it. Contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +4/-2; Special Teams +2, 0.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 3. Not delivering just now. His turnover led a Grade A shot against late in the third. He won just two out of 12 faceoffs. GAS: ES +0/-3; ST +0/-0.
Zach Hyman, 5. Hustling effort this game. He slammed a 5-alarm slot shot on net on a first period power play but failed to drain it. Then came some bad luck, Hyman breaking his stick in his own end, then when the Oil won the puck and were breaking out, Ekholm hit Hyman with it as #18 went to the bench for a new stick, kicking off the Sequence of Pain. He failed to score on a 5-alarm shot in the third. GAS: ES +3/-1; ST +1/-0.
Warren Foegele, 4. Quiet night by his standards, though some good hustle. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0.
Derek Ryan, 5. His excellent pass hit Kane in stride in the slot and Kane delivered on the strike. He lost a battle and fell down, kicking off the Sequence of Pain on Florida’s first goal. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0.
Adam Erne, 4. Quiet. Too quiet. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0.
James Hamblin, 5. Solid screen in the second led to Kulak’s shot off the post. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0.
Darnell Nurse, 3. Rough game for Nurse, who has been played well lately. He screened Pickard on Florida’s first goal. His starfish slide and stick whip snapped the puck past Pickard for the third Florida goal, a wicked own goal. He got beat for a Grade A shot by Tkachuk late in the second. He created a 2-on-1 against early in the third, but cleaned up his own mess. He allowed Rodrigues in behind him for a breakway in the third. GAS: ES +1/-5; ST +0/-0.
Evan Bouchard, 5. Dangerous on the attack, dangerous on defence. His pinch was essential to McDavid’s early goal. He failed to drain a McD slot pass in the second. He sent in McDavid on a rush that led to his penalty shot. He was caught flat-footed and slow-moving on the fourth Florida goal. He made a solid defensive stop to prevent an empty net goal against. GAS: ES +4/-3; ST +0/-0.
Vincent Desharnais, 4. He got into a fight with an aggressive Florida forward, Gadjovich, who got too feisty around the Oilers net. His lost battle in the corner led to a 5-alarm shot and near goal against late in the second. Providing little if anything on the attack. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0.
Brett Kulak. 6. More high even than usual but more good than bad. Nasty turnover on Ekblad’s early 5-alarm shot. He put one off the post through a Hamblin screen in the second. He lost a battle in front of the net to Sam Bennett, leading to a 5-alarm shot. He made a key block and won a slot battle in the third, giving his team some hope. GAS: ES +2/-2; ST +0/-0.
