The Edmonton Oilers concluded their eight-game homestand with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night (Feb. 3). This was a high-event game that also saw a fight between Darnell Nurse and Brandon Carlo after Carlo took down Connor McDavid in the neutral zone.
The Maple Leafs got goals from Matias Maccelli (two), Matthew Knies, John Tavares, and Bobby McMann. Meanwhile, Jake Walman and Kasperi Kapanen scored for the Oilers.
This was another disappointing result on home ice as the Oilers are limping into the Olympic break. Here are six takeaways from this frustrating loss.
Andrew Mangiapane Was Noticeable
These words haven’t been uttered much this season, but Andrew Mangiapane had a solid game, and he was extremely noticeable, especially in the first period. He was on the fourth line alongside Trent Frederic and Mattias Janmark, replacing Curtis Lazar in the lineup.
He was forechecking hard, forcing turnovers, and engaging in every post-whistle scrum. The 29-year-old drove hard to the net and gave goaltender Anthony Stolarz a snow shower. He received a punch from the netminder and got into a scrum with Oliver Ekman-Larsson for his troubles. He played with an edge and was getting under the opponent’s skin.
Related: Oilers’ Andrew Mangiapane Facing Unwarranted Criticism From Fans
The Toronto native also had a breakaway in the opening frame but didn’t capitalize. He finished the game with three shots and one hit in 8:14 of ice time. He was benched after a turnover that led to the first goal, but that goal was actually the result of a poor line change rather than the turnover. Despite that, he still had a solid showing in his limited minutes and didn’t deserve the benching.
Mangiapane was playing like somebody who wants to stay in the lineup. He has been in and out all season and has quickly fallen out of favour with the coaching staff and the fan base. He’s fighting for his spot and has a chip on his shoulder. Unfortunately, it’s probably too little, too late.
Jake Walman Struggled
While he scored the Oilers’ first goal, Walman didn’t have a good game defensively. He made some questionable decisions, and that has been the case far too often lately. He was pickpocketed at the offensive blue line in the first period, resulting in a breakaway against, but fortunately, the Maple Leafs didn’t capitalize. Then, in the second period, he made an atrocious line change, leading to a 2-on-1. That change harmed the team because even though Toronto didn’t score on the 2-on-1, the Maple Leafs had sustained offensive zone time, which resulted in the game’s first goal.
His defensive awareness wasn’t up to par, and he made too many mental mistakes. The Oilers have struggled to defend recently, and as a top-four blueliner, Walman is a big reason why. He plays a crucial role, and he needs a better showing after the Olympic break.
Josh Samanski Has Rejuvenated the Bottom Six
Josh Samanski continued to impress in his fourth NHL game. He centred the third line alongside Jack Roslovic and Matt Savoie. That trio has been exciting to watch and has provided much-needed energy to the bottom six. The 23-year-old German registered one assist, for his second point in as many games.
Joshua Samanski, Edmonton Oilers (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
His line outshot the opponents 4-1 at 5-on-5 in 8:01 of ice time. The goals were 1-1, the scoring chances were 2-2, and the high-danger chances were 1-1. They broke even in those categories, which isn’t a bad thing. That line continues to develop chemistry, and Samanski has been a good fit. He finished the game with one shot in 9:55 of ice time.
Questionable Calls & Poor Penalty Kill Sinks Oilers
Savoie was called for interference on a collision at the blue line, trying to avoid an offside. Already down a man, Mattias Janmark got called for a high stick to send the Maple Leafs on a 5-on-3 advantage. Auston Matthews stepped into Janmark racing for the loose puck, and his stick caught Matthews in the face. The Toronto forward could have easily been called for interference and been given coincidental minors, but instead, the Oilers were shorthanded for a lengthy 5-on-3.
The Maple Leafs scored on the 5-on-3 and the 5-on-4 to put the game away. Unfortunately, the game was significantly impacted by that sequence. However, the Oilers were unable to kill those penalties, and that’s on them. Toronto scored on both of its opportunities.
Anthony Stolarz Was Fantastic
Stolarz was fantastic in the Maple Leafs’ crease. He stopped 34 of 36 shots for a .944 save percentage (SV%). He robbed McDavid on a point-blank one-timer in the second period, and then did the same to Leon Draisaitl late in the third, sprawling to deny the German superstar.
The Oilers had 17 second-period shots, and Stolarz was up to the task. He hasn’t been good this season, but he was in this one. They generated quality chances, and their effort in the offensive zone was good, but they couldn’t solve the netminder. They deserved a better fate in this one.
Oilers Conclude Disappointing Homestand
The Oilers finished their eight-game homestand with a 4-4-0 record, and that’s unacceptable. This was their opportunity to climb the standings and create separation within the division, and they failed. This is a results-driven business, and they weren’t good enough on home ice.
They couldn’t take advantage of their schedule. The New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs were on the second half of a back-to-back, as they were in Calgary the night before. The Oilers only won two of those games, which is disappointing. With the Olympic break on the horizon, this was their last home game until March 3 against the Ottawa Senators.
The Oilers play their last game before the Olympic break on Wednesday, Feb. 4, against the Calgary Flames. Keep following The Hockey Writers for all your NHL content throughout the season.
