Player grades: bounces finally go against Edmonton Oilers in 4-3 loss to Chicago Blackhawks - Edmonton Journal

Article content continued

Tyler Ennis, 5. He made a sweet feed to Draisaitl on Edmonton’s first. In the second period, he got blasted into the boards by Kirby Dach and got banged up and knocked out of the game.

Andreas Athanasiou, 4. Took an iffy holding penalty in a tightly-called game, especially against the Oilers. After Ennis got hurt, he got bumped up to the Draisaitl line, but suddenly looked more tentative, watching instead of just working, working, working. The line got some offensive zone time but no dangerous chances with A.A. on it.

Riley Sheahan, 4. He made a graceful wrap-around feed in the first that Athansiou almost cashed in on. He combined with Ethan Bear on a key defensive stop, shutting down Jonathan Toews on an open net power play shot midway through the second. He was a big part of a successful Oilers PK that had lots of work. But he failed to control the puck on the boards late in the third, kicking off the sequence of pain leading to Highmore’s third period goal.

Zack Kassian, 3. He came out physical, tossing Maatta into the boards. Next he got off a dangerous backhand shot from a Draisaitl feed. But he rarely played due to all the penalties. He was a bit late getting to the point on Koekkoek’s point shot leading to Highmore’s goal. Not good. More is needed from Kassian. Part of a general lack of physical play from the Oilers.

James Neal, 7. He had a good, old-fashioned angry stare down with Toews late in the second, but along with Kassian and Athanasiou was rarely on the ice in the first two periods due to all the penalties. He and Khaira did combine on a dangerous tip shot late in the second. He made a good play on McDavid’s second period power play goal, taking out a Chicago d-man in front of the net. His line is working harder than any other line, but can’t do it on its own.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMilwFodHRwczovL2VkbW9udG9uam91cm5hbC5jb20vc3BvcnRzL2hvY2tleS9uaGwvY3VsdC1vZi1ob2NrZXkvcGxheWVyLWdyYWRlcy1ib3VuY2VzLWZpbmFsbHktZ28tYWdhaW5zdC1lZG1vbnRvbi1vaWxlcnMtaW4tNC0zLWxvc3MtdG8tY2hpY2Fnby1ibGFja2hhd2tz0gEA?oc=5

2020-08-06 05:29:10Z
52780977185578