After five straight wins since the season started, the Edmonton Oilers suffered the first defeat. Dave Tippett’s guys have lost against the Chicago Blackhawks on the road with 3-1.
It was the first win of the campaign for the Blackhawks who have to thank their goalie Corey Crawford for pulling them out of several tough situations. In the moments when Chicago needed him the most, the 12th year veteran stepped up and boosted the morale of his teammates.
“I think we were doing everything good tonight,” Crawford said. “We didn’t give up a whole lot, cleared the front of the net, and I was able to see pretty much everything.”
He ended the night with 27 saves, and was near his 26th shutout, but Oilers’ left winger James Neal managed to ruin that for him with just 2:11 until the end. It was a powerplay goal, and the guests thought that it could be the turning point, which might bring them a chance to reach the overtime.
After that, the guests went all or nothing, but their risk didn’t bring any good. With 22 seconds to go, Brandon Saad used the fact that Edmonton played without a goalie and sealed the victory for an explosion of joy in the overcrowded United Center.
The start of the game was slow for both sides, but as time went by the guests managed to create a couple of excellent chances to score first. However, Crawford was the guy who prevented that. After the game, most of the Oilers’ players who addressed the media praised the performance of Chicago’s goalie.
“Thought we had a lot of good looks, a couple breakaways early, 2-on-1s and whatnot. Credit to [Corey] Crawford. He was solid and made the save when he needed to,” said Edmonton’s captain Connor McDavid.
Following a goalless first period, it was Patrick Kane who opened the show. Dylan Strome won a face-off, and the puck reached Kane, who sent e fierce shot towards Mike Smith’s goal. The Oilers’ goaltender ended the night with two goals allowed and 34 saves, and was without a doubt, the best player of the guests.
His only mistake might have been when he came out of the crest to pick up what seemed to be a loose puck. However, Alexander Nylander reached it first and scored a goal sending the shot between Smith’s legs for 2-0. Apart from that, he was excellent.
The home team’s coach Jeremy Colliton was satisfied with the way his team played, and he too picked out Crawford as the shiniest spot on the ice last night.
“He looked as sharp as ever,” Colliton said. “He’s really good. That team has some weapons, and he was there.”
Up next, the Blackhawks are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, and they will try to notch the second win in a row. Meanwhile, the Oilers are coming back home to Rogers Place, and await the Philadelphia Flyers this Wednesday. The guests have played only three games so far and have two wins and an overtime loss.
