Dylan Holloway making strong case to stick with Oilers
Holloway #Holloway
Dylan Holloway had an inside track for an NHL job with the Edmonton Oilers this season and likely cemented it with his performance Monday.
Holloway scored a hat-trick and added an assist in a 7-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place.
Holloway’s first goal of the pre-season came on a deft redirection midway through the first period and then he ripped a shot over the shoulder of Canucks goaltender Collin Delia in the second period. He completed the hat-trick coming out of the corner and firing another shot past Delia with 2:41 to play.
“I felt really good, it was one of those nights where everything seemed to go right,” Holloway said. “I owe a lot to my linemates, those are pretty good players in Leon (Draisaitl) and (Zach) Hyman. I thought we played well and it was good to get the win.”
Hyman, Tyson Barrie and Warren Foegele with two late goals, also scored for the Oilers while Jack Campbell made 28 saves.
Nils Hoglander and Conor Garland scored for the Canucks, and Delia finished with 29 saves.
“He (Holloway) had a heck of a game tonight,” said Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft. “I thought that line with Draisaitl, Hyman and Dylan, they were the best line on the ice; they controlled the puck, they didn’t give up a ton against.
“We went down to 11 forwards, so we moved some pieces around, found some extra ice time and it was a good game for Dylan, he’s got to feel good about it. He’s going to enjoy it and he knows tomorrow is the next battle.”
Selected 14th overall by the Oilers in the 2020 NHL Draft, Holloway battled through a setback with a wrist injury, which required surgery twice. He ended up playing 33 games with the Bakersfield Condors last season, scoring eight goals and collecting 22 points.
Holloway dressed for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche last spring, making his NHL debut, but was used sparingly. This season, he came into training camp as a strong contender to earn one of the few available roster spots and has made the most of his opportunities in the pre-season.
“I’ve seen him a little bit and it’s the first time I’m playing with him, but what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, he’s looked really good, so I’m excited to see what he can bring as training camp progresses,” said Oilers forward Evander Kane prior to the game. “He’s got a really good shot and quick hands and it’s about finding areas of his game that will continue to grow, and I’m looking forward to the start of the season and seeing what he does.
“I think he’s a guy that has a lot of confidence and that’s a good thing. You have to have confidence as a young player to be effective in this league because if you don’t, you’re not going to be effective.”
A Calgary product, Holloway, 21, played two years at the University of Wisconsin before turning pro. He had 11 goals and 35 points in 23 games in his sophomore season and sustained the wrist injury during the NCAA tournament.
Holloway had surgery on his wrist, but it did not heal properly and had to undergo surgery a second time, which cost him a portion of last season.
With the injury behind him, Holloway can focus on trying to crack the Oilers roster. He’ll likely get another opportunity to play with two pre-season games remaining before the Oilers open their regular season schedule at home against the Canucks on Oct. 12.
At this point, it seems unlikely Holloway will not be on the roster for opening night.
“His hockey sense comes from his work ethic, which allows him to get into good situations and be up on the play, and gives himself an extra second to make a play, which is obviously big if you want to succeed offensively in this league,” Draisaitl said. “That’s where it all starts and we’re very impressed with what we’ve seen so far.”
SHORING UP THE BLUE LINE
There are not many spots open on the blue line this season and the Oilers dressed the bulk of its opening night defensive roster against the Canucks.
Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci made up the first pairing with Brett Kulak and Evan Bouchard on the second. Dmitri Samorukov and Tyson Barrie were partnered on the third pairing.
“I think for the most part, it’s pretty set, but there is that one spot and a lot of guys have stepped up and been playing really well competing for that spot,” Ceci said. “I think it’s going to be a good fight over it and they are going to get a chance to play and they’ve all looked really good so far.”
The Oilers are expected to start the season with seven defencemen on the roster. Samorukov, Philip Broberg and Ryan Murray are among the top three contenders for the final spot on defence.
“It can be a tough spot to be in,” Ceci said. “But it’s fun when you get to compete for a job and hopefully you get to stay up in the NHL.”
Ceci has a guaranteed spot and is working his way back after sitting out the early part of training camp nursing a lower-body injury.
“I was pretty close and ready to go at the start of camp,” Ceci said. “I think they were just being a little cautious and they wanted to give it time to let it heal fully, but it’s not bugging me anymore.”
Notes: Oilers forward Tyler Benson left the game in the second period with a lower body injury and did not return … The Oilers left for B.C., after the game and will take part in some team building activities before taking on the Canucks in Abbotsford on Wednesday.
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