In a thrilling matchup in Edmonton, the Oilers managed to secure a much-needed win against the Seattle Kraken, with Mattias Ekholm leading the charge with a goal and two assists. This victory snapped a three-game skid for the Oilers, who now stand at 2-3 in NHL pre-season play.
“It’s all about work ethic,” stated Oilers forward Derek Ryan, who also had a productive game with a couple of assists. “They are a hard-working team, no matter who they have in the lineup, so we expected that. It starts with work.”
The scoring started early for the Oilers, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Noah Philp, Vasily Podkolzin, and Raphael Lavoie contributing to the offensive onslaught. Despite the Kraken putting up a fight with goals from Jacob Melanson, Eduard Sale, John Hayden, and Ben Meyers, it was ultimately the Oilers who prevailed.
“I thought offensively we played pretty well and we had our chance,” mentioned Meyers of the Kraken’s performance. “We probably just gave up a little bit too much to win that game.”
The game saw some intense action, with Connor McDavid showcasing his skills with a beautiful backhand pass to set up Nugent-Hopkins for a goal. However, the Kraken quickly responded with a goal from Melanson, taking advantage of a chaotic situation in front of the Oilers’ net.
Unfortunately for the Oilers, goalie Calvin Pickard had to leave the game after a collision with his own teammate resulted in a head injury. This turn of events added some drama to an already intense matchup.
In the end, it was Ekholm’s stellar performance and the Oilers’ unwavering determination that sealed the victory. The message was clear – in hockey, it all starts with hard work and dedication. This win serves as a reminder to both the players and the fans that success on the ice is earned through sheer effort and perseverance.
