In a thrilling game on Tuesday night, the Edmonton Oilers hung in there and emerged victorious over the Boston Bruins with a 2-1 overtime win. The game showed a kind of patience, resilience, and late-game heroics – not all of which the Oilers have been known for. Specifically, the Oilers have a reputation as a push-hard-now (rather than a patiently wait-for-chances) team.
However, when it came time, the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl led the charge for the Oilers by scoring both the tying goal in the final minutes of regulation and the game-winner in overtime. Despite facing a tough Bruins team on the road, the Oilers showed their maturity and defensive savvy. They limited the Bruins’ scoring opportunities, took advantage of their own, and ultimately won their fifth consecutive victory.
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Considering the Three Reasons the Oilers Won the Game
Here are three reasons why I believe the Oilers came back to beat the Bruins.
Reason One: (Obviously) The Late-Game Heroics by Leon Draisaitl
When push comes to shove, the Oilers have the firepower to turn it up a notch. Draisaitl showcased his scoring prowess by netting two crucial goals for the Oilers. He tied the game at 1-1 with just 1:20 left in the third period after the Oilers pulled their goalie for an extra skater. Then, he clinched the win with an overtime goal. He’s an elite offensive player and, against the Bruins, he displayed his ability to step up in clutch moments and deliver for his team.
Reason Two: The Oilers Supplied a Strong Defensive Game
Edmonton limited the Bruins to five shots in the third period and none in overtime. That kind of shutdown defense indicates that the Oilers can tighten up their defensive game when they need to. As the game progressed, they started to shut down Boston’s offensive opportunities effectively. Goalie Stuart Skinner’s solid goaltending – coupled with the team’s disciplined defensive play – prevented the Bruins from capitalizing on scoring chances. This allowed the Oilers to stay in the game.
Reason Three: The Oilers Have Grown in Their Hockey Mindset and Maturity
Draisaitl highlighted the team’s maturity and patience. However, he was not alone. The entire team showed an ability to stay composed and focused. The Oilers did this even in a tough road environment like Boston. The kind of maturity to patiently sit back and believe that the game will eventually come to them is something new. Yet, despite facing the adversity of being down a goal, the Oilers remained focused on the plan. Then, when the chance came, they capitalized on their opportunities. This mental toughness and composure enabled them to overcome late-game deficits and secure their fifth consecutive victory.
What Might This Game Mean for the Oilers?
In considering these three reasons collectively, it would seem as if the Oilers’ comeback win against the Bruins showcased the team’s different way of thinking. They trusted in their resilience, offensive firepower, and defensive prowess. They were patient; and, they won.
That bodes well for this Oilers team in the future.
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