With their winning streak reaching 24 games, and at about halfway through the season, NHL teams needed to come up with new ways – any way – to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. On Sunday night, that’s exactly what the Oilers did; and the win came just in time for them, too.
The Oilers came out strong against Chicago, with Sam Gagner scoring two of their goals in the first period; and Mike Brown scored one just 36 seconds after Gagner’s first goal. Chicago on the other hand, may have still been feeling their loss to the Colorado Avalanche just two nights before they faced Edmonton. Looking somewhat sloppy in the beginning of the game, they didn’t seem nearly as focused or as sharp as the Blackhawks team that we’ve come to know this year.
Things started to take shape in the second period for the Blackhawks, with Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Sheldon Brookbank, and Brent Seabrook all tying in the period. They had five goals on the board, but Edmonton still had six – and the Blackhawks were looking for a huge comeback.
They nearly got it, but Yann Davis did a stellar job goaltending, especially under the intense pressure Chicago applied during the last few minutes. Making 10 saves in the third period, and each one nicer than the last, he clinched the win for his team.
And it was they needed desperately. Edmonton had lost five consecutive games prior to Sunday’s game against Chicago; and six of seven during their current road trip. They’ll wrap it up in Colorado on Tuesday when they play the Avalanche, before heading home to take on the Red Wings on Friday.