The Edmonton Oilers dropped a 4-1 decision to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday night, despite the home team dressing the better lineup of the two.

The first period flattered no one, Seattle scoring a PP goal late. The Oilers carried most of the play in the second but a breakdown in Edmonton’s zone made it 2-0 at the second intermission.

Andrew Mangiapane drew the game to 2-1 with a good second effort in the third. But a Kraken insurance marker and an empty netter late sealed it.

Here’s the tale of the tape…

Edmonton Oilers Player Grades

Again, we will wait on the Regular Season for actual Player Grades. In their place, a hybrid of The Cult of Hockey’s Two Good Things, Two Bad Things, Two Numbers brand:

Good Things:

-Connor & Leon. These two guys rusty are still more entertaining than most other pairings in the National Hockey League. Draisaitl led his club with three shots, put a chip shot from the goal line off the goalie’s shoulder and pinged one off the near post. McDavid was, by my count, in on nine dangerous plays in the attacking zone. Also did some PK work when they mostly had the puck. However, both men were also -3 5v5. It was a September exhibition game. ’nuff said.

-Atro Leppanen. The Oilers best D-man on the night. The early errors that marred the start of his Winnipeg performance were gone. Strong stuff on Jordan Eberle in the second. And with the puck, a calm, smooth-skating, puck-moving blueliner. Had three shots and was Even in a 4-1 loss (20:30 TOI). And…he played last night in Winnipeg, too. A good test I would say he passed.

Bad Things:

-The 1-0. Beau Akey in the box for a slash. James Hamblin over-shaded toward the wall on the PK allowing Seattle to set up. Then both Hamblin and Alec Regula vacated the front of the net, allowing the Kraken to penetrate the slot and score the 1-0.

The 2-0. Trent Frederic lost a race to the puck up the wall, and McDavid was on his way out of the zone as the puck went in the other direction. A Seattle attacker snuck in behind Evan Bouchard and boom…2-0.

Numbers:

-Curtis Lazar. I did not mind his game. Defensively responsible. A smart play along the wall in the first. Combined with Janmark for two dangerous looks. 63% on faceoffs. 70% CF 5v5.

-Connor Clattenburg will start the season in the AHL. But he will leave an impression, leading the Oilers in hits tonight with five, including a heavy hit on D-man Cale Fleury.

Odds & Ends:

-Our first look Andrew Mangiapane in Oilers silks. He was very quiet until his second effort popped home an excellent effort by Evan Bouchard for the 2-1. That rush by Bouchard was impactful and Evan made a bunch of nice passes, too.

-Much was made of Trent Frederic playing in the first line. He was nearly invisible on the attack and made mistakes on two goals against. Not an ideal debut in that slot.

-Mattias Ekholm’s return since the injury last Spring. He was one of the better D-men. More than solid and seemed to move well.

-Josh Samanski. Laid it on the line with a blocked shot in the second and had some good moments on the attack. CF 5v5 64%.

-Stuart Skinner allowed three goals but had been left all alone on all three. His saves on Myers and Firkus were his best.

Winnipeg is next, Friday at Rogers Place

This article is not AI generated.

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Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025.

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