*Photo from TSN*
Edmonton leads series 2-1
If you cannot contain the amounts of high end talent that the Edmonton Oilers, you're in for a bad night. Evander Kane recorded a hat trick, Leon Draisaitl had a 4 assist game, and the Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames with a 4-1 victory on Sunday night in Edmonton.
With the win, the Oilers picked up their second straight win of the series, improving to a 2-1 series lead in the second round battle of Alberta. The 3 headed monster of Kane, Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid combined for 10 points, with Draisaitl alone responsible for 4 assists, including all 3 goals from Kane.
Kane said of Draisaitl's play that "He has been really good for our group. He is getting better and better each day and you are seeing it in his play. He has been great for us this series and he just seems to find another level each and every night. He made some really good plays, especially on the wall tonight."
After a scoreless first period, Zach Hyman got the Oilers on the board, scoring just 52 seconds into the second period, making it 1-0 on his 6th goal of the playoffs. 6:58 into the second, Kane scored his first goal of the night, doubling the lead to 2-0 on his 8th goal of the playoffs. Kane scored again at the 7:51 mark of the second, making it a 3-0 Oilers lead.
At the 12:58 mark of the second period, Kane scored his 3rd goal of the night to cap off the hat trick, making it a 4-0 game, with Draisaitl and McDavid assisting. In the 3rd period, Oliver Kylington got the Flames on the board, making it a 4-1 game at the 15:09 mark of the 3rd.
Edmonton interim head coach Jay Woodcroft said of the play of Draisaitl, McDavid, and Kane that "Obviously they made some plays on those goals and were spectacular, but I would go to their checking, though. I'd talk about their checking, the way they defended. That line, I think Connor and Leon both finished plus-4. When our best players are leading the way defensively and setting the tone for what's expected for the full 200 feet of the rink, I think it makes us a better team."
Starting in goal for the Oilers and getting the win was Mike Smith, who got his second straight win of the series. Smith saved 32 of the 33 shots that the Flames sent at him, good for a .970 save percentage in the victory.
Getting the nod in between the pipes for the Flames was Jacob Markstrom, who again couldn't contain the Oilers offense. Markstrom stopped 30 out of the 34 shots on goal he faced, recording a .882 save percentage. Markstrom was pulled after two periods and replaced by Dan Vladar, who stopped all 7 shots he faced.
Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson said that "We lose the second period 4-0, we let one guy dominate the game and unfortunately our second period wasn't good enough. We just have to stop McDavid with all five guys that are on the ice, six including Marky. We have to stop him as a unit. One individual can't stop him. We just have to stop him together."
Up next, game 4 of the series is on Tuesday night back in Edmonton. The Oilers will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, while the Flames look to even the series and force game 6.
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