EDMONTON — For years, the Edmonton Oilers have been known for their heavy reliance on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. This dependence sometimes left other forwards feeling like spectators during critical moments of the game.
Often, when games were on the line, these players would find themselves on the bench, watching McDavid and Draisaitl shoulder the responsibility yet again.
However, this Saturday presented a different scenario. For only the third time in their careers, both McDavid and Draisaitl were absent from the lineup. This absence became a challenge for the rest of the team to prove their capabilities and step up, especially for those who had previously expressed concerns about limited opportunities for non-superstar players in Edmonton.
The Oilers successfully rose to the occasion, securing a 5-4 victory against the Seattle Kraken without their two key players. They scored five goals, including two power-play goals, demonstrating their ability to win even when shorthanded.
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm, wearing an ‘A’ in the absence of the usual leaders, praised the team effort. He highlighted contributions from players like Jeff Skinner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in scoring, as well as the fourth line`s impactful shifts. Ekholm noted the positive outcome of players getting more ice time in crucial situations and performing effectively.
“It was great to see players who don`t typically get heavy minutes or play in key situations rise to the occasion tonight and perform admirably,” Ekholm concluded.
