Recreation assessment: Edmonton Oilers rookie sniper reveals his high quality in 4-1 win over Seattle Kraken

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The Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on the power of Jack Campbell’s stellar goaltending and a few positive sniping by rookie attacker Xavier Bourgault.

As that is the preseason with gamers nonetheless battling for spots, I’ll deal with bubble gamers who’re striving to make the staff.

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Philip Broberg: One other quiet however fundamentally-sound recreation, the place he made one scrumptious attacking play. Some sturdy puck shifting and clearances early on. Didn’t clear on an early PK, then obtained beat to a harmful rebound by Matty Beniers within the slot. However sturdy work on his subsequent two PK missions within the first. He was caught up-ice on the finish of an influence play, permitting a Grade A shot by Cale Fleury. However he held the puck, moved into the Kraken zone and made a superb backhand move to arrange Xavier Bourgault’s second aim. Broberg isn’t going to be your cup of tea in case you’re in search of a excessive affect P.Ok. Subban-style d-man, or a Large Bobby Clobber of a hitter, however he retains issues protected and sound.

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Cam Dineen: Up and down recreation. He screened Campbell as Adam Larsson put one off the submit within the first. He made a strong defensive cease to set off a McDavid-Draisaitl rush within the second. Poor positioning on a Seattle PK-rush, permitting a harmful shot by Beniers. Blocked a tough shot on the PK late within the recreation.

Ben Gleason. I’ve seen worse d-men, like Mark Fayne and Nikita Nikitin, get huge contracts with the Oilers. Gleason can play. He led the staff with 23:53 of ice time. One other excessive occasion recreation from him, some unhealthy however extra good. Blocked a shot then charged up ice to get his personal shot on a jailbreak rush, with Xavier Bourgault cashing within the rebound. He was sluggish to the rebound on Seattle’s first aim, however that was extra on Kemp and Campbell. He did a superb job shutting down a 2-on-1 rush early within the second. His turnover led to a 2-on-1 rush towards at finish of a second interval energy play. Too passive as Seattle swarmed the Oilers internet for a couple of Grade A pictures late within the second. He allowed a harmful cross-seam move on the PK early within the third, however worn out Beniers in entrance of the online to finish the risk. He pinched to maintain the puck in and Connor McDavid took the puck and whipped it in for Edmonton’s second aim.

Xavier Bourgault. Unsure if Oilers are prepared to advertise him however the child has some expertise. No mistake on his rebound aim. Scientific ending. He additionally picked off a slot move on the PK and superior it up ice. Dyamite shot off Broberg’s feed to attain Edmonton’s third aim.

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Phil Kemp. One other essentially sound d-man. Gradual to close down the slot shooter on the PK on Seattle’s first aim. Stable shot block on a slot shot within the second. He allowed a harmful cross-seam move early within the third on the ability play. He shut down Beniers on the push within the third. Allowed a slot move that ended up as a Grade A shot by Jaeden Schwartz.

James Hamblin. Numerous hustle. He charged in to win the puck within the first an avert an icing name. On the PK, he gained the puck and cleared it. He despatched in Lavoie on a stretch move late within the third.

Raphael Lavoie. Quiet first, rubbed out by Adam Larsson a rush late within the interval. He gained a battle down low resulting in a rush. A second later he drew a penalty with hustle on the forecheck. He performed with McDavid within the third and didn’t look misplaced.

Adam Erne. Misplaced a puck battle resulting in a depraved sneak fast shot on Campbell within the second. In any other case a quiet recreation.

Brad Malone. Quiet recreation.

Seth Griffith. Some respectable puck play however nothing too noteworthy.

Vincent Desharnais. Not his finest recreation. He allowed a depraved cross-seam move that Justin Schultz virtually deposited within the second. He obtained beat out from behind the online as Seattle virtually scored late within the second. Took a nasty penalty to finish the second. He regarded like a seventh d-man, at finest, on this one.

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