Oilers Extend Win Streak to 3 with Crushing 7-1 Victory Against Utah

Summary:

• The Oilers bagged their third win in a row on Tuesday when they defeated Utah 7-1. 
• While acknowledging the growth, head coach Knoblauch wants to see more improvement. 
• The Canadians are ranked second in the Pacific Division

The Edmonton Oilers scored a 7-1 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night, further pushing their winning streak to three in a row after losing to the Sabres and Devils. 

Head coach Kris Knoblauch’s side further strengthened its second place standing in the Pacific Division at 84 points, three points over third-placed Los Angeles Kings, and only two points short from the leading Vegas Golden Knights.

Knoblauch: “We Had a Great Game, We Outscored a Team”

Zach Hyman led the charge with two goals and an assist, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, and Mattias Ekholm each contributed a goal and two assists. 

Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson also found the back of the net, helping the Oilers (40-24-4). 

After struggling earlier in the season, Knoblauch sees signs of steady improvement from his team.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself too early. We had a great game, we outscored a team, we won three in a row, but it’s been better.

The 46-year-old also acknowledged the terrible shape of the Oilers after the break, admitting that they were “rock bottom”, “played terrible” and “getting outplayed tremendously”. He further explained, using Tuesday’s result to reiterate his ideas. 

And after those first three, maybe four games, we’ve been getting better and better throughout that, and it started with our team defence and eliminating chances off the rush. And then once you play better defensively, things will work better offensively

“More Room to Grow”

The head coach added that  while they have been “getting better” over the last few weeks, there is “certainly more room to grow”.

That sense of progress is resonating throughout the locker room. Veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse believes the team is settling into a rhythm as the season winds down.

Our game is definitely coming, and our group, as we continue to play with some new faces and continue to jell, our team game is going to continue to grow. Obviously, you want to head into the end of the season playing your best hockey and I think we are starting to get there.

The Oilers also welcomed back key pieces to their lineup. Hyman returned after missing one game due to injury, while Ekholm made his comeback after a six-game absence.

Calvin Pickard stepped up with 29 saves, improving his record to 17-7-0. While the Oilers’ offense thrived, Leon Draisaitl saw his 18-game point streak come to an end, marking the conclusion of a career-high run.

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