Connor McDavid was high-flying self, but hard-working Chicago limited Edmonton to 15 shots.
Minus NHL leading rookie scorer Connor Bedard, their No. 1 defenseman Seth Jones, plus five other regulars the Chicago Blackhawks tried to slow down the red-hot Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.
Jason Dickinson celebrated his 14th goal.But speedy Edmonton, led by the ultra-fleet Connor McDavid, skated to its eighth straight win, 2-1 at the United Center.
McDavid, flying all night, scored his 15th goal and Leon Draisaitl connected for his 19th. Chicago limited Edmonton to a season-low 15 shots on goal, however. The Oilers entered leading the NHL with an average of 34.4 shots per game.
Jason Dickinson fired in his 14th goal to open the scoring and cap a nifty individual rush. Then the Oilers were able to apply just enough of their superior speed and skill to squeeze past Chicago — despite the Blackhawks structure, close checking and solid effort.
"I think it just goes back to our work ethic," said Dickinson, who was charged with covering McDavid much of the game. "Everybody was working well above pucks, tracking back, making sure that we limited their speed, making sure we limited their entry.
"They're a rush team that likes to attack on 3-on-2's, 2-on-1's, isolating our D-man. We did a good job of protecting them. We gave up a handful." See following video.
Petr Mrazek was sharp, making several sensational saves among 13.
The Blackhawks applied furious pressure in the final 2:30 with Mrazek pulled for an extra attacker.
Petr Mrazek was sharp again."We just fell a little short of finish around the net, but we had some chances," Chicago coach Luke Richardson said.
Edmonton's Zach Hyman was involved in two disallowed goals – one on goaltender interference and another when a Chicago video challenge showed Draisaitl entered the Blackhawks zone offside.
No Update on Bedard, But Raddysh and Anderson Return
Richardson didn't have an update on Bedard, out indefinitely with a fractured jaw, or sidelined veteran Nick Foligno. He said after the game he expects a timeline on Wednesday.
Forward Taylor Raddysh returned from a groin injury.Forwards Taylor Raddysh and Joey Anderson returned to depleted Chicago's lineup and provided a boost. Newcomer Rem Pitlick, acquired from Pittsburgh on Saturday, also played and hit the post on chance in the third.
"It was good to have all those three players back in the lineup," Richardson said. "I think they all helped us tonight."
Jones, out since Dec. 10 with a shoulder injury, participated in the morning skate. Richardson said the 6-foot-4 Jones, tops on Chicago with 25:25 of ice time per game, is about a week away from returning but needs to skate in full-contact practice first.
The 18-year-old Bedard, who leads all first-year NHLers with 15 goals and 33 points, was hurt on an open-ice hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in New Jersey on Friday. Foligno broke a finger on his left hand fighting Smith in the second period of the game
Also still out for Chicago are forwards Tyler Johnson (right foot), Anthony Beauvillier (left wrist), Andreas Athanasiou (groin) and Taylor Hall (right ACL surgery, lost for season).
Game Flow
Dickinson opened the scoring 5:52 in to increase his season-high for goals. A Dallas first-round draft pick in 2013, Dickinson's previous high was nine with the Stars in 2019-20.
Connor McDavid was flying, as usual, despite Chicago's solid defensive effort.The rangy center stole the puck at center ice, skated into the Edmonton zone and muscled into the slot with a nifty move. Dickinson beat Stuart Skinner with a high shot although Zach Hyman was draped on him.
Draisaitl powered to the net, took a pass from Ryan McLeod and completed a 2-on-1 at 8:05 to tie it.
McDavid grabbed a stretch pass from Mattias Ekholm and burst in alone past Chicago's defense to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead at 1:32 of the second. The blazing McDavid cut from right wing across the slot unscathed and tucked a shot past Mrazek.
An apparent goal by Edmonton about two minutes later, on McDavid's shot, was wiped out by Zach Hyman's interference on Mrazek.
Then Hyman seemed to make it 3-1 early in the third on a set-up by McDavid. But the play was disallowed after a video review showed Draisaitl entered the Chicago zone offside
Draisaitl fed McDavid, who was flying down left wing, with a cross-ice pass. Hyman spun away from Chicago defenseman Alex Vlasic and went to the net to convert McDavid's feed.