Player grades: Despite making a ton of Grade A shots, the Edmonton Oilers are “goalied” in their defeat by the Washington Capitals.

The Edmonton Oilers’ 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals was a game that perfectly illustrated the frustrations of hockey fans: a team that dominates in almost every facet of the game but is ultimately undone by a strong performance from the opposing goaltender. Despite generating a large number of Grade A scoring chances throughout the game, the Oilers found themselves “goalied” by Darcy Kuemper, who stood tall in net and thwarted the Oilers’ attempts to put the puck in the back of the net. The Oilers’ inability to convert on those chances, combined with some defensive lapses and missed opportunities, led to a painful defeat.

In this article, we’ll break down the performances of individual players from the game, providing grades and analysis on how they contributed to the team’s loss. While some players shone, many were unable to finish their chances, and ultimately, the goaltending on the other side proved to be the deciding factor. But the effort wasn’t without positives — there were several strong performances from key individuals that kept the Oilers in the game.

The Goaltending Duel: Darcy Kuemper vs. Stuart Skinner

Before diving into individual player grades, it’s important to assess the goaltending matchup in this contest. The Capitals’ Darcy Kuemper was outstanding in net, making 34 saves on 36 shots. His performance was the main factor in Washington’s ability to hang on to the lead despite Edmonton’s constant pressure.

Kuemper’s ability to stand on his head at key moments, including several breakaway stops, key saves during power plays, and timely interventions in high-danger areas, made him the true star of the game. It wasn’t that the Oilers were bad at generating chances — far from it. In fact, they managed to create several Grade A scoring opportunities, but Kuemper repeatedly found ways to deny them. His stellar goaltending was the reason the Capitals managed to leave Rogers Place with two points.

On the other hand, Stuart Skinner, Edmonton’s young goaltender, had a much more inconsistent performance. While he made a few key saves to keep the game within reach, Skinner’s struggles were more noticeable, especially on the Capitals’ first and third goals. On the opening goal by Nicklas Backstrom, Skinner was caught off guard by a soft rebound that should have been controlled. Similarly, Alex Ovechkin’s power-play goal was one that Skinner might have been expected to stop, as he failed to react quickly enough to a shot that came from a familiar and dangerous location. His inability to make timely saves in crucial moments meant that the Oilers were fighting from behind all night.

Overall, Skinner’s performance wasn’t disastrous, but it lacked the stability that Kuemper provided for Washington. Given the offensive firepower the Oilers possess, they needed their goaltender to make at least one or two momentum-shifting stops, but Skinner was unable to deliver. Here’s a breakdown of the individual player performances:

1. Connor McDavid – Grade: A

Connor McDavid was electric throughout the game and did everything he could to will his team to victory. As usual, McDavid was a one-man highlight reel, generating multiple scoring opportunities and setting up plays that should have resulted in goals. His speed and vision were on full display, as he danced through defenders and created high-quality chances.

McDavid played a key role in the Oilers’ first goal, finding Zach Hyman in front of the net for a tap-in that briefly tied the game at 1-1. His ability to get in on the forecheck, strip the puck, and create chances was exceptional, and he was a constant threat on the power play.

While McDavid didn’t score himself, he was involved in nearly every offensive play for Edmonton. His drive and determination were evident throughout the game, but unfortunately, the bounces didn’t go his way. Given how much McDavid was involved, it’s clear he played his part, but his team couldn’t capitalize on the chances he created.

2. Leon Draisaitl – Grade: B+

Leon Draisaitl was another standout in this game, although not quite to the same extent as McDavid. Draisaitl was dangerous in the offensive zone, creating several Grade A scoring opportunities and registering a point on the Oilers’ first goal with a slick pass to Hyman. He was the recipient of many dangerous passes from McDavid and others, but he just couldn’t finish.

Draisaitl’s ability to generate chances in the cycle game was invaluable, and he was effective on the power play, despite the Oilers’ inability to convert. He had a few close calls, but Kuemper was always there with the right response. Draisaitl did what he could to create offense, but the Capitals’ defense and goaltending were simply too much to overcome in this game.

Draisaitl’s overall impact was solid, but his failure to capitalize on some key chances prevented him from earning an A. He had several opportunities where he was just a half-step away from getting the puck in the back of the net.

3. Zach Hyman – Grade: B

Zach Hyman was solid in this game, contributing both offensively and defensively. His goal in the first period was well-executed, as he managed to pounce on a rebound created by McDavid’s vision and perfect pass. Hyman’s work ethic and presence around the net were invaluable, as always, and he created a few additional chances for the Oilers.

However, Hyman wasn’t as involved in the offensive zone as he has been in some other games, and there were moments where he seemed to be out of sync with his linemates. In a game where generating goals was crucial, Hyman’s chances were limited, and he wasn’t able to capitalize on the opportunities that did come his way. Still, his ability to create traffic in front of the net and stay engaged in the game was noteworthy.

4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Grade: B-

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a relatively quiet night offensively, although he did create a few chances. He was more active on the defensive side of the puck, helping to break up plays in the neutral zone and on the forecheck. On the power play, he was involved in the cycle, but much like his teammates, Nugent-Hopkins was unable to make a difference in terms of finishing chances.

There were a couple of moments where Nugent-Hopkins appeared to be in the right place, but his shots either missed the mark or were stopped by Kuemper. While his effort was commendable, Nugent-Hopkins’ performance didn’t have the same impact as some of his teammates. He still had a few good looks, but he wasn’t able to bury any of them.

5. Tyson Barrie – Grade: C+

Tyson Barrie didn’t have a strong game in terms of contributing offensively or defensively. Barrie’s presence on the power play has been essential for the Oilers this season, but in this game, he wasn’t able to provide the same kind of spark. His shot from the blue line didn’t generate enough traffic or chances, and there were moments where he seemed indecisive with the puck.

Defensively, Barrie was caught in a few vulnerable situations, including a failed attempt to block a shot that led to a rebound goal for Washington. His lack of physicality in the defensive zone left some gaps that the Capitals took advantage of. Overall, Barrie didn’t do enough to make up for the Oilers’ struggles in other areas.

6. Evan Bouchard – Grade: B

Evan Bouchard had a much more stable performance compared to Barrie, though he still didn’t stand out in the way the Oilers would have liked. Bouchard was solid defensively, making the simple plays to get the puck out of the zone and keep the Oilers from getting trapped in their own end. He wasn’t flashy but did a good job of moving the puck quickly and efficiently, contributing to Edmonton’s offensive zone time.

Bouchard had a few good shot attempts and tried to generate offense from the back end, but Kuemper was always equal to the task. His performance was consistent, but like many of his teammates, Bouchard failed to capitalize on key moments.

7. Stuart Skinner – Grade: C

Stuart Skinner’s performance was lackluster and was a major factor in the Oilers’ loss. While he made some decent saves, his positioning and ability to track pucks were inconsistent. The first goal he allowed was a soft rebound, and the third goal, a slapshot from Alex Ovechkin, was a goal that Skinner should have stopped. These goals came at pivotal times in the game, and they ultimately left the Oilers playing catch-up.

While Skinner wasn’t entirely to blame for the loss, his inability to come up with the timely saves that were needed — especially with the Oilers peppering Kuemper on the other end — was a key factor in the defeat. Skinner’s performance lacked the sharpness and poise that a starting goaltender must display to help his team get over the hump.