The Edmonton Oilers defeated and dominated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with a score of 6-3. The series is tied at one game apiece. The game was played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Here’s a recap of game one between the Blackhawks and Oilers.
1st Period
The Blackhawks woke up the beast. Oilers captain Connor McDavid scored the game’s first goal just 19 seconds in. However, this didn’t rattle the No. 12 seed Blackhawks. They were able to gain some momentum and get scoring chances until McDavid scored his second goal of the game at the 15:55 mark of the period. But, two McDavid goals still didn’t rattle the Blackhawks. They were able to keep up with the Oilers’ offensive pressure until Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane scored the team’s first goal to cut the lead down to one. Kane scored almost four minutes after McDavid’s second goal. From there, it was a close-knit battle but the Oilers were outshot the Hawks 17-9 heading into the second period.
Edmonton went into the second period with a 2-1 lead.
2nd Period
Edmonton again scored an early goal but they didn’t do it 19 seconds in. Oilers forward Tyler Ennis shot a blaster just below the blue line to extend the lead to three. However, this was a tale of two periods for Chicago. Hawks forward Slater Koekkoek cut the lead down back to one, scoring the team’s first goal. From that point, they controlled most of the period. They killed off Edmonton’s two penalties and tied the game at three with just 4:47 left in the period. Hawks forward Olli Maatta scored the tying goal. But then the Oilers responded. More specifically, McDavid. He scored his third goal of the game giving him his first playoff hat trick.
Edmonton went into the third period with a 4-3 lead.
3rd Period
After McDavid’s hat trick goal, the Oilers took over the game. The Oilers also scored two more goals from forwards James Neal and Alex Chiasson. McDavid almost had a four-point game but Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford made a save on Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins that would’ve given McDavid an assist.
Edmonton won the game 6-3 and tied the series 1-1.
If Edmonton doesn’t take their foot off the gas pedal then they should have no worries of losing this series. However, if they do then Chicago will come storming back in Game 3 and they know how dangerous a Blackhawks playoff team can be.
Three Stars of the Game
Third Star: Slater Koekkoek (1 goal, 1 assist)
Second Star: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (3 assists)
First Star: Connor McDavid (3 goals)
Game 3 of the Oilers-Blackhawks series is on Aug. 5 at 2:30 pm EST.
