Oilers end skid with shutout win over Capitals

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th November, 17:50 2023

Nov 24, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Capital One Arena. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Leon Draisaitl scored twice in a three-point game and Connor McDavid collected four assists as the visiting Edmonton Oilers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-0 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday.

Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner made 25 saves to record his first shutout of the season and third in his career.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored one goal and added two assists, while Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard also scored for the Oilers. Zach Hyman collected two assists.

Goalie Charlie Lindgren stopped 30 shots for the Capitals, who saw their five-game winning streak emphatically snapped.

For the third time in four games on this road trip, the Oilers staked a 2-0 lead. Kane opened the scoring at the 14:10 mark when he shoveled home a rebound for his ninth goal of the season.

Nugent-Hopkins doubled the lead 74 seconds later when McDavid's wraparound attempt was blocked but sent the puck into the air and Nugent-Hopkins batted it into the cage for his fourth of the season.

The hot start should come as no surprise after the Oilers trailed 4-0 in the first period of their previous outing. They outshot the Capitals 21-6 in the opening frame.

Edmonton did not let off the gas. Bouchard unloaded a rocket of a one-timer from the point to net his fifth goal of the season at 3:44 of the second period. The power-play goal gives Bouchard seven points in a five-game span.

Draisaitl added another power-play goal 64 seconds later when he quickly unloaded a shot from the slot set up by McDavid. Draisaitl notched another man-advantage marker when he finished a flurry with 1:23 remaining in the middle frame for his eighth of the campaign.

Washington failed to convert on five power-play chances and has been blanked 28 consecutive advantages in a 10-game drought.

The loss came at a further cost for the Capitals. Forward T.J. Oshie left the game early in the second period after a hard collision with Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm. Oshie left the ice on his feet with help and waved to the crowd en route to the dressing room.

—Field Level Media

Latest