Player grades: Edmonton Oilers go to the net, stomp Pittsburgh Penguins

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The Edmonton Oilers took it to a listless Pittsburgh Penguins team, easily beating them six goals to one.

Edmonton dominated from early. Pittsburgh was never really in it.

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Edmonton had 17 Grade A shots, Pittsburgh 10, with the subset of 5-alarm shots Edmonton five, Pittsburgh three.

Connor McDavid, 8. One goal, one assist. Dangerous all night. He broke in hard early on for a dangerous shot, then broke in again on a 2-on-1 late in the first to set up Hyman for a rebound goal. He drove home Drai’s rebound in the third. He played just 17:18, as his heroics were not needed in crunch time. Contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strenth +4/-2; Special Teams +1/-0.

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Leon Draisaitl, 8. He led the way, came out with his feet moving.. Three assists. He and McD combined well early on and got off some solid shots, including Drai kicking off the Virtuous Cycle on Edmonton’s first goal with a board battle win and stretch pass. Next he won the faceoff then made the slick pass on Hyman’s second goal. He beat his man at the blueline, ripped a slot and saw McD slam home the rebound in the third. GAS: ES +5/-1; ST +1/-0.

Zach Hyman, 8. Two goals. He’s making a religion of GTTFN (Go To The Fraking Net), jamming in the first goal of the game, his 41st on the year, in the first. Edmonton’s third GTTFN goal came when he went to the net and too Drai’s pass in the second. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +1/-0.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 5. A few mistakes in this one. Failed to drain a 5-alarm slotter early in the first. He turned over the puck leading to Jansen Harkins penalty shot. He lost the faceoff on the Pittsburgh goal. GAS: ES +1/-3; ST +1/-2.

Evander Kane, 8. One assist. He had his feet moving this game, looked sharp. He won a board battle and threw it in front to RNH for the game’s first 5-alarmer, then got his own slotter on a low-high pass from RNH. He smithereened Harkins with a hit. He did all kinds of good work winning battles and making plays leading up to McLeod’s goal. He broke in hard for a breakaway shot early in the third. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST +0/-0.

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Mattias Janmark, 6. Finally broke in for a good shot of his own late in the third. GAS: ES +1/-1; ST +0/-0.

Warren Foegele, 7. Two assists. stretch pass led to Edmonton’s second goal. His turnover led to a Pittsburgh rush and Grade A in the second. He charged in hard on Edmonton’s fifth goal, then setup Ceci with a low-high pass. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0.

Ryan McLeod, 8. He was flying all game. One goal, one assist. He rushed up ice and put the puck into the slot for Perry’s early second period goal. He sent in Gagner and Nurse on a dangerous rush in the second. Great pass on Janmark’s Grade A. GAS: ES +4/-1; ST +0/-0.

Corey Perry, 7. One goal. Another great example of GTTFN on Edmonton’s second goal, Perry making no mistake on McLeod’s pass. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0.

Sam Gagner, 8. His best game since coming back from injury. He got two Grade A shots in the first, one a jam, another a wicked tip. Blasted one off the post on a 2-on-1 rush in the second. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST +0/-0.

Dylan Holloway, 6. He buzzed early on, making numerous solid plays. Almost scored on a rebound shot in the third. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-0.

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Connor Brown, 5. Lots of scoring and points, but none of it, alas, by good ol’ Connor Brown. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-1.

Evan Bouchard, 7. Strong on defence and in moving the puck. One assist. He snapped the pass to Drai on Edmonton’s third goal. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0.

Mattias Ekholm, 7. One assist. Quiet game, solid game, strong puck moving and defending. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-1.

Darnell Nurse, 7. Low-event game, super solid throughout. GAS: ES +1/-1; ST +0/-0.

Cody Ceci, 7.  Best game in some time. One goal. He picked a wicked shot, wristing it through a double screen for Edmonton’s fifth goal. GAS: ES +2/-3; ST +0/-0.

Vincent Desharnais, 6. Part of a strong defensive effort, tho Pittsburgh’s attack lacked bite. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0.

Brett Kulak, 8. Two assists. His brilliant skating has made him a valuable Oilers player and he showed it off again this game. His hard pinched was part of the virtuous cycle on Edmonton’s fifth goal. GAS: ES +4/-2; ST +0/-0.

Calvin Pickard, 7. He was not tested much, but was equal to almost every test. He got into it with a couple solid PK saves, then thwarted a Crosby 5-alarmer early in the second. With Edmonton up by three, he thwarted a Malkin slotter late in the second, then gave Harkins nothing on his penalty shot. Little chance on the Pittsburgh goal.

At the Cult of Hockey

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