On Friday night at Rogers Place, Evander Kane scored the game-winning goal with 1:58 remaining to secure the Edmonton Oilers a 5-3 preseason victory over the Seattle Kraken.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft remarked after the game, “I thought it was a competitive, back-and-forth game.” “Both sides had strong moments,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. “I believe we found a way to win a couple games where we didn’t have our best.”
Daniel Sprong clipped in a second chance at the side of the net to give the Kraken the lead with seven minutes remaining in the first. Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie beat Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer with a power-play point shot in the final seconds of the first period to tie the score at one.
Everyone is eager to begin the regular season, and we are not any different, according to McDavid. We are one of the 32 teams that believe we have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
First and foremost, you’re wanting to make it through camp uninjured, so that’s a “check.”
The lone goal of the second period was scored by Seattle rookie forward Matty Beniers. For the Kraken, Andre Burakovsky missed an open goal, but the puck came off Beniers and was cut by Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell.
The team did a terrific job blocking shots and playing hard, Campbell said. “I think we’re all eager to get to work in the regular season,” he said.
Five minutes into the third period, Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi tied the score at two by slicing in a pinpoint McDavid pass in the goalmouth.
After the game, Woodcroft remarked, “That will make him feel good about his game and where he’s at.
It was a significant one for us because it brought out some of his inherent skillset when he was with Connor, who has a knack of doing that for people. They made several significant goals.
McDavid described Puljujarvi as having a “large physique, skates well, and is at his best when he’s physical and getting in on the forecheck and winning pucks back for his linemates.
Grubauer attempted to clear the puck with 4:33 remaining, but it hit Leon Draisaitl who was advancing and trickled in to give the Oilers a 3-2 lead.
With 2:18 remaining, Jared McCann scored on the power play, but Kane scored only 20 seconds later off a pass from Draisaitl. McDavid also added a zero.
On Wednesday, the Oilers’ home opener against the Vancouver Canucks will mark the start of the regular season. The Faceoff Show airs at 6 p. m. on 630 CHED, where you may listen to the game live. 8 p.m. is when the actual game begins. -With files from Brenden Escott, 630 CHED.
Edmonton Oilers defeat Seattle Kraken 5-3 to win the preseason.
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