On the back of a great performance by goaltender Stuart Skinner, the Edmonton Oilers earned a dominant 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins. The win extended their hot streak to four in a row and 15-3-1 in their last 19 games. The Oilers got beat up physically, but they withstood the Bruins’ attempt to win by submission. It didn’t work, as the Oilers destroyed the Bruins with their skill, and outside of a few minutes in the third period, it was all Edmonton. Here are the key takeaways.
Adam Henrique Shines with Two Goals
Adam Henrique has gotten off to a slower start this season. That might have explained the decision to create a new third line of Henrique, Zach Hyman, and Jeff Skinner. It worked, and that line had immediate chemistry.
Henrique led the goal-scoring for the Oilers with two goals, both on quick, precise releases after getting great passes. One was from Corey Perry, and the other from Jeff Skinner. Henrique has been doing a lot of good things this season, but the goals haven’t been there. He was overdue to have a bigger night.
McDavid Gets Back On the Board
Connor McDavid hadn’t scored since December 19, when the Oilers last played the Bruins. He was due and scored a beauty on the power play with a breakaway goal on a great feed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. McDavid was said to be extra focused on scoring a goal the last few days, taking some extra time at practice.
Unfortunately, Leon Draisaitl‘s point streak ended at 14 games. He played a solid game but did not get on the board. Viktor Arvidsson looked for him on the empty-net goal to make it 4-0, but Arvidsson didn’t want to take the risk of not getting the game-sealing goal.
Skinner Doesn’t Get Shutout Despite Blanking the Bruins
Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 26 saves and played a key role in the shutout, despite being temporarily forced out of the game in the first period due to NHL concussion protocols. Skinner returned and stymied the Bruins, but he didn’t personally get awarded the shutout.
Skinner played a fantastic game and didn’t love the Zadorov hit that took him out of the game. When asked about having to be taken out of the game, he said, “They called down and honestly, it’s a smart call. He got me pretty good.”
The Oilers’ complete performance against the Bruins demonstrates why they’re one of the NHL’s hottest teams heading into the second half of the season.
This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.
