Edmonton Oilers in Ottawa Senators (2/28/2019)

Take that, worst team in the NHL! Final Score: 4-2 Oilers

After the disaster that happened in Toronto last night, I had a hard time imagining any scenario where the Oilers did not play better than what we saw against the Leafs. For about six minutes during this second period, the Oilers were as bad as what we've seen all year long and it dropped so low that I refused to believe they could not be better. Coupled with the fact that the senators are in last place in the NHL and that they have just traded their top three players, I felt there was no better opportunity for the Oilers to straighten up after the explosion tonight in the nation's capital. That was the hope, anyway. So when the Oilers met because of an initial goal that should have been avoided, all I could do was shake my head and try to process what the hell is going on around here.

Fortunately, as the game progressed in the second period and in the third, the Oilers managed to get things right and actually produce some chances for themselves in the offensive zone. I do not know why it took them a while to figure out what they needed to do, but I think it's better to show up later than ever? Instead of sitting and waiting for the senators to do things, the Oilers were much more aggressive with the record over the last 40 minutes and this allowed them to get their own opportunities instead of always waiting for an opportunity to counter- attack. No, I'm not saying their game was almost perfect, but I was happy to see some signs of life. That said, even with the victory, I thought the Oilers gave too much room for the senators in all three zones and it was not exactly encouraging to see the hockey team's last place to overtake our boys in large parts of this hockey game.

I mean, we're going to win the win and the two points, but let's not pretend it could not have easily been to the other side.

The wrap.

• Connor McDavid tied the game to each one after finding the puck in the slot and executing perfectly the triple-deke of Gordon Bombay to deceive Anderson and make the 33rd goal of the season.
• Sam Gagner gave the Oilers their first lead of the night with their third goal in seven games back after the trade that sent Ryan Spooner to Vancouver. Ty Rattie did a good job of finding the disc next to the net and sending it forward where Gagner was waiting with his stick on the ice before sliding the disk past Anderson into the empty cage.
• Colby Cave scored his first goal as Oiler tonight after he took out a small tight shooting that sent Anderson sprawling down the wrong path, leaving an empty side for Cave to shove the disc. Cave has played well over the last moment and I was happy to see him being rewarded for his efforts.
• Zack Kassian added an empty netter to give the Oilers a much needed insurance since the senators were actually playing in the last 10 minutes of the game. Personally, I thought Kass may have been prevented from playing, but I definitely will not complain about the goal of not returning.
• After picking up the hook last night, I was really interested to see how Mikko Koskinen would respond. I mean, let's face it, some of these guys he allowed against the Leafs were AHL caliber and he needed to be better in every way if the Oilers got a chance to win. Koskinen kept his share in the bargain today, stopping 35 of 37 pitches and ending with a reduction of 0.946%.
• I wanted to give a shout out to the Rieder-Cave-Currie line for being one of the most effective trios the Oilers had all night. Yes, I understand how sad that this line was arguably the best on the team, but that's where we and I thought they deserved some love for it.
• Speaking of Josh Currie, he got his first career tour tonight in Connor McDavid's second attacking goal and he added another in Cave's third marker. We have reached the point of the season when we are forced to look for silver plating and Currie's enthusiasm certainly qualifies. Who knows where it ends in the long run, but I'm happy for the guy for the little race he is now.
• Darnell Nurse had another good night on the blue line when he finished his night with a 24:50 high team, one assist, one hit and four stumps.
• Magnus Paajarvi missed the penalty kick! Big success.
• Let there be drink! As always, you can to participate in the #BoozeNotBeets wincast conversation on my Twitter account.

• Chris Tierney opened the scoring for the senators after he lost the man behind the net, made his way to the front of the crease, and broke a loose disc at home under Koskinen.
• Are you surprised to learn that Mark Borowiecki scored his first goal of the season tonight? You're not, are you? What if I said it was the first goal he scored in the last 62 games? No, I do not think so.
• Yell to the Tankers for having another goal against giving up. We are in good luck with these goal calls now, and I do not want the train to stop.
• Staying out of the field 37-26 by the last place is not a great look and if it was not for Koskinen, then this game could have ended easily, and this is a horrible reality to live.
• How about the Oilers winning only 44% of the draws tonight? Not good enough against an AHL team like the senators.
• I was trying to figure out which of those two teams has more AHLers on their list and I really fought, which is a terrible sign if you're a fan of Edmonton Oilers.

31 vs 26 is in progress.

– Rob Tychkowski (@Rob_Tychkowski) March 1, 2019

At least we broke that Tierny face out of his fall.

– St. Michel (@ TroyPeterson99) March 1, 2019

Just think how everyone will get mad when we win the draw.

– Xavier Alonso (@ xalonso54) March 1, 2019

How long until McDavid fits like Ned Flanders?

"Now, calm down, Connolly-onolly-onolly-onolly, they played their best moody and idiot, it has to be good hostility, a little more than hell. Can not you do something right? #herecometheoilers

– Chris Topher (@SezChris) March 1, 2019

Has an MPS jersey the next day to play lol.

– Zack (@ KrazyKraka187) March 1, 2019

Another Oiler to score before Rieder … ? Poor.

– Trent Billey (@TrentBilley) March 1, 2019

Talk to me, Twitter. Tweet at @OilersNation and @jsbmbaggedmilk for their chance to land on Best of Tweets.

---

Source: NHL, official game page, 2/28/2019 – 8:00 p.m.