Game Recap: Edmonton 7, Ottawa 1

Game number six of this season between Edmonton and Ottawa takes place tonight, the Oilers lineup looks like this:

Edmonton lines vs Ottawa:

Draisaitl-McDavid-Yamamoto
Ennis-RNH-Puljujarvi
Neal-Haas-Chiasson
Shore-Khaira-P. Russell

Nurse-Barrie
Lagesson-Larsson
K. Russell-Bear

Smith

Biggest changes in lineup are the subbing of Lagesson for Jones, and Russell for Turris (who was a close contact of a positive COVID case).

Oilers are 5-0 vs the Senators this season. Edmonton has also outscored Sens 21-12 in that span.

First Period

The Oilers pull ahead early in this one, with the stacked top line owning the play in the Ottawa zone and Darnell nurse puts the Oilers up 1-0.

And very quickly, Devin Shore and Jujhar Khaira move in on a 2 on 0 and Shore puts the puck on a tee for JJ, who pots the easiest one of his career. 2-0 Oilers.

While the Oilers have dominated play early, the Senators have had a few solid chances since the second goal – however, they seem to have some trouble hitting the net. Things get worse for Ottawa, as Watson goes into Smith hard and takes a call for goaltender interference. Leon goes end to end, embarrassing Mike Reilly, and beating Matt Murray on the blocker side. 3-0 Oilers after the Neon Leon PPG.

With six minutes left in the first, McDavid is left all alone in the slot and he picks on the blocker again. 4-0 Oilers. All Oilers in the first period, shots 16-3 and the four to nadda.

Second Period

Thirty five seconds into the middle frame, and it’s Brady Tkachuk off the ice for interference after taking runs at both McDavid and Draisaitl. A few decent set up opportunities, and Puljuljarvi came close, but no damage done on the PP.

The Oilers go back to the powerplay quickly, as Ryan Dzingel drops the gloves prematurely and feeds P. Russell a few shots, despite the latter not dropping his gloves. Matt Murray has continued to battle though, and he makes an incredible save on Draisaitl on the cross-crease one timer and a point blank stop on RNH in the slot.

The Senators continue to shoot themselves in the foot, as after the big kill on the Dzingel penalty, they go right back to work on the PK after a too many men call. RNH corrals a loose pucks in the high slot, and he fakes Murray out before delivering an open-net pass for Draisaitl. Leon’s second of the game and it’s 5-0 Oilers, with 29 collecting his fourth point of the night. Shots are 21-4.

Right off the faceoff, James Neal floats one on net through a D-man screen that beats Matt Murray glove side. 6-0.

Not sure how many times I can write this, but things once again can get worse for Ottawa – Colin White has to be carried off the ice after losing an edge and crashing into the boards. The rink has gone quiet and the energy has left the game after that injury.

After the Sens string together a good effort, including a post on a breakaway from Brady Tkachuk, the Oilers are called for hooking. Two shots against, no goals.

The Oilers go into the second intermission up 6-0 in goals, 28-10 in shots.

Third Period

A relatively uneventful third period, but McDavid drives to the net hard and leaves a beautiful drop pass between Zub’s legs and Draisaitl has his third goal and fifth point of the night. 7-0 Oilers in the dominant performance by the top line. Fourth career hat trick for Leon.

With White out for the game with a knee injury, Dzingel also limps off the ice holding his knee after getting tangled with Puljuljarvi awkwardly.

After a fancy passing play, the Senators break Mike Smith’s shutout bid. Dadonov scores on the tic-tac-toe to make it 7-1. First goal against (5x5) with McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice.

The Oilers end the game with a few posts, the Sens end the game with some big hits, and we’re ready for a Friday night matchup to close out this three game series.