There was a curious incidence early in Saturday’s sport (Jan. 4) between the Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken. Lower than a minute into the competition, Local weather Pledge Enviornment’s lights went out for a second. The facility was again earlier than most individuals most likely realized what had occurred. Funnily sufficient, solely one of many two golf equipment received the metaphor. The Oilers performed with excessive power, whereas the Kraken discovered the “on” change far too late, as Edmonton prevailed 4-2.
Three straight dubs ✔️ @SentinelStorage | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/qgAN3Z8LIq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 5, 2025
Oilers Pounce Early in Cruel Show
The Bible states “After which there was gentle.” Within the NHL, it’s “after which the Oilers struck.” Such was their thorough domination on this evening regardless of the ultimate rating flattering the Kraken considerably.
Edmonton wasted no time both, immediately hitting its stride from the second the lights when again on. Vasily Podkolzin netted his fourth of the marketing campaign at 0:57 by ripping a one-timer off a Leon Draisaitl go. It was the end result of a play by which the Oilers simply gave the Kraken’s defence the slip.
Not content material to relaxation on their laurels, the guests weaved their manner via Seattle’s defence as soon as extra at 5:18 when Jeff Skinner discovered himself behind all Kraken gamers, acquired Kasperi Kapanen’s go, and out-waited Philipp Grubauer earlier than roofing a shot. This was high-energy Oilers hockey.
The scoreline within the first might have been much more one-sided have been it not for an excellent Philipp Grubauer cease on a Connor McDavid breakaway.
Edmonton Preserves Lead in Center Body
The scoreline continued to learn 2-0 till simply previous the match’s halfway level. Because the Oilers utilized strain within the Kraken’s zone, Brett Kulak despatched the disc from the purpose towards Seattle’s web, the place each Connor Brown and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have been parked. Brown one-touched the rubber gently to Nugent-Hopkins, which caught Seattle’s goalie off guard. Not able to make the save, Nugent-Hopkins simply slotted the puck residence for a 3-0 benefit.
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Chandler Stephenson gave the hosts some cause for optimism when he intercepted a go late within the second interval, raced out and calmly wristed a shot previous Calvin Pickard at 15:56.
That mentioned, by the point the siren rang to conclude the second stanza, the photographs have been 24-10 in Edmonton’s favour.
No Kraken Comeback
The Kraken have been completely dominated for stretches throughout the sport. Solely their German keeper’s heroics saved the scoreline inside smart attain. Grubauer carried out an out-stretched save on a two-on-one early within the third interval, a uncommon occasion of the door being shut on Draisaitl.
Jaden Schwartz made it a 3-2 sport at 7:27 on a aim that Edmonton’s netminder will need again. Vince Dunn despatched a shot from the purpose with no site visitors in entrance, and Pickard’s butterfly save supplied the juiciest of rebounds for an unguarded Schwartz to pounce on.
As they pressed for the equalizer, the Kraken’s makes an attempt usually went excessive, huge, or have been blocked by Oilers gamers. Edmonton would finally make their rivals pay for lack of ending when Draisaitl iced the match with an empty netter at 18:02 making the ultimate a 4-2 win for the Oilers.
Edmonton has gained three in a row and will get to take pleasure in Sunday after a profitable back-to-back (they downed the Anaheim Geese on Friday). In addition they hold tempo with the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights, who’re forward by solely six factors. The Oilers proceed their travels on Tuesday (Jan. 7) in Boston to face the Bruins. Seattle has misplaced twice in a row, each at residence. They’ll attempt to flip issues round on Monday (Jan. 6) when the New Jersey Devils are on the town.
