The Edmonton Oilers were victorious in Kris Knoblauch’s debut as the hockey team’s head coach, scoring a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders Monday night at Rogers Place.
“It feel amazing to get that first win,” Knoblauch said after the game. “I liked how we stayed patient and stayed the course — didn’t take unnecessary risks.
“There’s definitely things we need to tighten up, but I think the most important thing is we didn’t get desperate when things weren’t going well.”
The Oilers were sloppy early and fell behind after 40 seconds on a goal by Matthew Barzal. Leon Draisaitl was strong in the first period and put the Oilers on the board with a shot from the right wing with 5:43 on the clock.
“It’s been a crazy couple of days,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said.
“It was everything we’ve been missing. Special teams were good — we’ve definitely missed that. Third period offence — we’ve been missing that — and I thought (goaltender) Stu (Skinner) played really well. He was there when we needed him.”
The second period was scoreless.
The Oilers took control with two power-play goals 1:58 apart in the third. Zach Hyman swatted in a pass from McDavid. Later, Draisaitl sent McDavid in on a partial break down the left side. His shot squeaked through Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin to end an eight-game goalless drought.
“It’s nice to see one go in,” McDavid said.
“Offensive guys like to score goals and I’m no different.”
Oilers forward Evander Kane added a shorthanded empty-netter.
Draisaitl finished with a goal and three assists. Skinner was solid in goal with 32 saves.
“When you have a guy playing like that who’s backing you up, it gives you a chance,” Hyman said of Skinner’s performance Monday night.
It’s the first time this season the Oilers have won two in a row. It’s also their first win at Rogers Place after going 0-4-1 in their first five tries.
Oilers forward Dylan Holloway left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury.
The Oilers (4-9-1) will host the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. You can listen to the game live on 630 CHED, beginning with The Faceoff Show at 5 p.m. The actual game starts at 6:30 p.m.