Player ratings: The ejected Edmonton Oilers manage to pull off another narrow victory in Chicago

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL this season, but they certainly made things difficult for themselves on a cold night in Chicago. Despite facing a series of setbacks, including player ejections, the Oilers managed to pull off a narrow victory against the Chicago Blackhawks in a game that was defined by resilience and grit.

With an electrifying offense and a defense that’s been improving under pressure, the Oilers have the tools to compete at a high level. However, their victory in Chicago was anything but smooth sailing. The game featured a handful of key players getting ejected, adding to the drama of what was already a tightly contested matchup. The Oilers, however, showed their mental fortitude by grinding out the win and maintaining their hold in the playoff race.

In this article, we’ll break down the performance of each player on the ice during the Edmonton Oilers’ win in Chicago, providing player ratings based on their contributions and performance in what was ultimately a hard-fought battle.

Goaltender

Jack Campbell – 8/10

After a rocky start to the season, Jack Campbell has begun to find his form, and it was on full display in Chicago. Despite the Oilers facing a barrage of shots, Campbell was exceptional between the pipes. His rebound control and positioning were spot-on, and he was able to weather the storm in the third period as Chicago applied pressure in search of the equalizer.

Campbell made several crucial saves during key moments in the game, including a massive glove save on a one-timer from Patrick Kane early in the second period. While he did allow a couple of goals that were tough to defend, including a deflection from a Chicago defenseman, he kept his composure and ensured the Oilers remained in the game. His performance on the penalty kill, where the Oilers were forced to kill off some extended shifts, was particularly impressive. Given the circumstances, Campbell’s play was a big reason the Oilers managed to come out on top.

Defensemen

Darnell Nurse – 7/10

Darnell Nurse had a solid night, contributing both defensively and offensively. On the defensive side, Nurse was tasked with shutting down the Blackhawks’ top line, and while he wasn’t able to completely neutralize them, he did a good job of limiting their scoring chances. He played physical hockey, using his size and speed to make it difficult for Chicago’s forwards to get to the net.

One of Nurse’s biggest moments came in the third period, when he made a critical block on a slap shot from Seth Jones, which could have easily tied the game. Offensively, Nurse was not overly involved but made some smart passes, including a stretch pass that helped set up an odd-man rush. Nurse’s presence on the blue line, despite the challenges the Oilers faced in this game, was a key factor in their narrow win.

Cody Ceci – 6/10

Cody Ceci had an up-and-down night, which is often the case with him. He made some decent plays defensively, including stepping up on the rush to break up a few potential scoring opportunities from the Blackhawks. However, there were moments when Ceci’s positioning was suspect, and he was guilty of a few turnovers in the defensive zone that put Campbell in a difficult position. His lack of consistency made the game more stressful than it needed to be, but he still showed the ability to dig deep when it mattered most. A neutral rating seems fair given his overall impact.

Evan Bouchard – 6/10

Evan Bouchard had a quiet game but did enough to help the Oilers secure the win. Bouchard has been one of the Oilers’ most reliable defensemen this season, but in Chicago, he was not as involved in the offensive zone as usual. Bouchard made a few crisp passes out of the defensive zone and was solid at maintaining possession, but he could have done more to generate offense from the back end. That said, his reliability in his own zone helped the Oilers contain the Blackhawks’ attack, even when they were down players due to ejections.

Tyson Barrie – 6/10

Tyson Barrie, known for his offensive flair, wasn’t able to add much to the scoreboard in this game, but he did have a few key moments defensively. Barrie’s ability to move the puck efficiently was crucial in the Oilers’ breakouts, but at times, his defensive positioning left a lot to be desired. He took a penalty in the third period that put the Oilers’ penalty kill under pressure, but they were able to kill it off successfully. Barrie needs to clean up his defensive game moving forward, but his overall contribution in the neutral zone was vital for the Oilers’ transition play.

Forwards

Connor McDavid – 9/10

There’s little question that Connor McDavid was the best player on the ice for the Oilers in this game. McDavid was a force both offensively and defensively. He scored a beautiful goal, showcasing his trademark speed and creativity on a breakaway, and he also set up a key assist to Leon Draisaitl during a power play.

But McDavid wasn’t just an offensive juggernaut; he also played a key role in helping to kill off penalties, showing a level of commitment to team play that has elevated his status in the NHL. The Blackhawks simply had no answer for McDavid’s speed and vision, and he seemed to create a chance every time he touched the puck. As usual, McDavid’s impact on the game was immense, and his performance was instrumental in getting the Oilers across the finish line.

Leon Draisaitl – 8/10

Leon Draisaitl had another solid performance, notching a goal and an assist in the game. Draisaitl was involved in almost every Oilers scoring opportunity, and his physicality allowed him to fight for pucks in high-pressure areas. His vision and playmaking ability were also on full display when he connected with McDavid for a power play goal in the first period.

While Draisaitl did some great things offensively, he did have a few turnovers in the neutral zone that nearly cost the Oilers in key moments. Still, he was a major presence on the power play and in the faceoff circle, where he was solid throughout the game.

Zach Hyman – 7/10

Zach Hyman continued to be a reliable presence for the Oilers. His work ethic is always evident, and he made a few key plays to create scoring chances, especially during a scrappy shift in the offensive zone late in the second period. Hyman’s physicality helped the Oilers win battles along the boards, and his defensive commitment was on display when he helped clear the puck in critical moments.

Though Hyman didn’t put up any points, his all-around play was valuable for the Oilers in a game where they were forced to battle hard for every inch of ice.

Evander Kane – 6/10

Evander Kane was ejected early in the third period after a questionable hit, which put the Oilers at a disadvantage. Before his ejection, Kane had been playing a relatively quiet game. He had a couple of good shifts, but he wasn’t able to make a significant impact on the scoreboard. His physicality and grit were needed for the Oilers, especially in a game where emotions were running high, but his early exit left a hole in the lineup that the team had to manage without him.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 7/10

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a quiet but effective game, as he was steady on both ends of the ice. He registered an assist and played an important role in helping the Oilers control the puck in the offensive zone. Nugent-Hopkins’ leadership and experience were crucial in maintaining composure, especially after some of the more chaotic moments of the game. He didn’t score, but his ability to contribute in all situations was important to the Oilers’ narrow victory.

Conclusion

The Edmonton Oilers’ victory in Chicago was a hard-fought one, and despite a few player ejections and a less-than-ideal performance from some key contributors, the team managed to get the job done. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were the standout performers, and their ability to shine in critical moments was crucial in helping the Oilers push through adversity.

Though the game wasn’t flawless, with mistakes from players like Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie, the Oilers showed the heart and determination needed to get a victory on the road. With their playoff hopes still alive, the Oilers will need to clean up some of the sloppy play and avoid further ejections in the future. However, this win, despite the challenges, will serve as a reminder of their potential when they play as a cohesive unit.

In the end, the victory in Chicago was an important one for the Oilers, and the player ratings reflect both the triumphs and the areas for improvement. As the season continues, this hard-fought win may serve as a turning point for a team that has all the tools to compete for the ultimate prize.