Dramatic Third Downs Oilers, Extends Devils Win Streak | GAME STORY
Devils #Devils
Two win streaks collided on Thursday night in Edmonton and it looked like it was going to the Devils that was set to end until the final 3:15 of the game where Ryan Graves scored the game tying goal, then seconds later Jesper Bratt gave the Devils their first lead of the night at 16:52 of the third.
The Devils streak lives on for a fifth consecutive game in a dramatic 4-3 win in Edmonton.
Miles Wood had a two-goal night, his second coming early in the third period to draw the Devils within one. The comeback was exciting, but there is still cause for concern as Mackenzie Blackwood left the game in the second period with an injury and did not return to gameplay with no current update available on his status.
Here are some observations from the game…
Ending the first period in a 1-1 tie with the Oilers was fortunate. The first period felt sluggish for New Jersey and their passing did not have the crispness to it that we’ve seen over the current win streak.
Connor McDavid has at least a point in every game he’s played in his career against the New Jersey Devils and his point on Thursday night came on a 2-on-1 in the first period. Jesper Bratt elected for the pass through the middle of the ice in the Oilers zone, which was picked off, feeding Edmonton’s transition game.
McDavid finished off the 2-on-1 for the Oilers 1-0 lead.
The Oilers early lead lasted just 3:02. The flash and fancy of McDavid was later countered by the grit and grind of Miles Wood. Nathan Bastian played hard along the boards to recoup the puck, catching Wood with a backhand pass near the hash marks, with Wood firing upon reception evening the game at one.
Bastian’s assist was his third in as many games, tying a career-high three-game assist streak.
The second period became the most consequential. Apart from the two goals conceded to the Oilers, Mackenzie Blackwood left the game after falling awkwardly while making a save on an Edmonton power play. Blackwood was writhing in pain, facedown on the ice by his left post the Devils trainer jumped on the ice. Blackwood was able to slowly get himself off the ice, although clearly laboring. That would be the end of Blackwood’s night, replaced by Vitek Vanecek.
It seemed almost unfair that Vanecek had to enter the game on a power play with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl firing away.
John Marino had a shift in the second period that lasted 2:41.
Miles Wood’s two-goal night is the eighth time in his career he’s had two or more goals and his first two-goal game since April, 9th, 2021, against Pittsburgh.