Oilers Pluck The Ducks In Game 1

The Edmonton Oilers outlasted the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 on Monday night. Depth scoring was the key to victory in this one. Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen each scored two goals for Edmonton.

This is the first game of the season where the Oilers won without Connor McDavid registering a point. They were 0-12-2 before last night’s win. Last night also saw the much-anticipated return of Leon Draisaitl to Edmonton’s lineup.

Draisaitl took 27 shifts in Game 1 with a total of 22:06 minutes of ice time. He did not look out of place despite the time he missed due to an injury. The 30-year-old German assisted on both of Kapanen’s goals.

Oilers vs Ducks Recap

The Ducks thought they had opened the scoring, but the goal got called off due to goaltender interference. Dickinson would score with 2:39 left in the first period to give the Oilers the lead. Kapanen then scored a minute later to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead.

Things were looking good for the Oilers heading into the second period. They had outshot the Ducks 14-4 in the first. However, the Ducks fought their way back in the second. Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson each registered three points to help the Ducks take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

Luckily for the Oilers, the third period was reminiscent of the first period and not the second. Dickinson would score first, and Kapanen would score second. Dickinson’s goal tied the game 3-3 and got the fans inside Rogers Place pumping. Kapanen scored with 1:54 left in the third period to give the Oilers a 4-3 lead. That goal would hold up to be the game-winner.

Other Notes from Game 1

Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram stopped 24 of 28 shots for an .889 save percentage. He didn’t have much of a chance on any of the Ducks’ goals. However, just before the Oilers’ game-tying goal in the third period, he made a huge save, which pretty much saved Edmonton’s chances of winning the game.

During the first period, Edmonton forward Adam Henrique collided with a teammate. He left the game and didn’t return. It was ruled a lower-body injury and didn’t look great. Someone else will get a turn to step up.