The Edmonton Oilers’ playoff hopes have been bleak for a long time now, but there was a glimmer of hope after they won four straight and five of six from Feb. 28-March 11. With so little margin for error at this point though, the Oilers really couldn’t afford to miss any opportunity and they tripped over a big one last night. Playing a New Jersey team that had lost seven straight and had been outscored 16-6 over its last three contests alone, Edmonton fell 6-3.
Connor McDavid registered two assists to get to 100 points, but as has so often been the case this season, even his elite play wasn’t good enough. This is his third straight 100-point campaign and likely the second straight season Edmonton will miss the playoffs in spite of him. It will also probably be the 12th time in 13 seasons that the Oilers have missed the postseason.
Meanwhile, Chicago managed to hold onto its sliver of hope by beating the Maple Leafs. Arizona holds the final Wild Card spot with 75 points in 70 games. Minnesota, Colorado, Chicago, and Edmonton have 74, 72, 71, and 69 points respectively with each of them having played 70 contests as well.
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CHICAGO 5 TORONTO 4
A loss is a loss, especially this late into the season, but it is worth noting that Toronto did claw their way back into this one.
Chicago got off to a 4-0 lead in the first period. Frederik Andersen stopped just 10 of 14 shots and didn’t come out for the second period. Garret Sparks saved 24 of 25 shots the rest of the way.
Brandon Saad scored a goal and registered an assist for Chicago. He’s up to 23 goals and 41 points in 68 games.
Brendan Perlini chipped in a goal and registered two assists. That gives him 12 goals and 19 points in 57 contests in 2018-19.
With Chicago up 5-1 going into the third period, Corey Crawford, who was dealing with an illness, left the game. He stopped 17 of 18 shots over his 40 minutes. However, in the third period, the Maple Leafs fired a staggering 29 shots Collin Delia and it was all he could do to hold onto the lead at all.
Auston Matthews scored a goal and registered an assist for the Maple Leafs. He’s up to 32 goals and 63 points in 56 games.
NEW JERSEY 6 EDMONTON 3
John Quenneville scored the game-winning goal. It was his first goal of the campaign and the second of his NHL career.
Damon Severson had a goal and an assist for New Jersey. He has 11 goals and 37 points in 71 contests in 2018-19.
Mikko Koskinen got the start, but was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots. Anthony Stolarz kicked out 15 of 17 shots in relief.
Cory Schneider turned aside 36 of 39 Oilers shots. He’s 5-10-3 with a 3.19 GAA and .898 save percentage in 21 contests this season.
Matt Benning found the back of the net and registered an assist. He has four goals and 14 points in 58 games.
VANCOUVER 4 NY RANGERS 1
Pavel Buchnevich netted the Rangers’ only goal. It was his 16th marker and 29th point in 53 games.
Tyler Motte scored a pair of goals, including the game winner. That gives him nine goals and 16 points in 68 contests.
Brock Boeser netted a power-play goal for the Rangers. He has 23 goals and 48 points in 57 games.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 21 of 22 Rangers shots. He improved to 25-20-8 with a 2.75 GAA and .913 save percentage in 53 starts.
Henrik Lundqvist kicked out 24 of 27 shots Wednesday night. He has an 18-18-10 record, 2.99 GAA, and .909 save percentage in 47 starts.
