Unexpected Heroes Step Up in Oilers' 3-1 Gritty Win Over Sharks

For 40 minutes, the Edmonton Oilers couldn’t find much room. Of course, they didn't let the San Jose Sharks find much room either. It was the kind of effort that showed the Oilers could win in more ways than one, and once they found their legs and a little offense, it was over. 

The Oilers improved to 4-0-1 with a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.  The depth played a key role in the win, and goaltender Tristan Jarry earned player of the game honors with 19 saves. It was his first win of the season, after he was on the hook for all six goals in the opener, a 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver. 

The first two periods were a tight, defensive grind. Mattias Ekholm scored in the first period for a 1-0 lead, and the Oilers added two more in the third from Alex Formenton and Vasily Podkolzin, whose fifth goal of the season sealed it. Ekholm and Formenton both scored for the first time this year.

Coach Mike Babcock said the Sharks were organized and the rush chances weren’t there, so the Oilers had to do it “the hard way.” Even the eventual rush goal, he noted, came after heavy offensive-zone pressure.

Jarry, who very much needed a bounceback performance following a tough first game had one. The Oilers waited to put him in the net again when the team was on the road, giving successive starts to a pretty hot Devon Levi. Jarry is going to be instrumental in the Oilers continued success and it was time he demonstrate that first game was not the narrative that would surrounding him all season.

“We’ve worked hard in practice and it’s translated into our games,” Jarry said.

The Oilers haven't totally solved their goaltending questions, but they can breathe a little easier on Sunday. 

Babcock gave credit to the fourth line of Josh Samanski, Isaac Howard and Trent Frederic, all of whom arguably had their best individual games of the season. Babcock definitely noted this was the best Samanski has looked. He also loved Frederic's net-front battling on one goal.

With Connor McDavid, Connor Murphy, Ryan Shea and Evan Bouchard each logging 24 minutes, the depth lines helped Edmonton keep four lines moving.

Rookie Owen Michaels also stood out. He won 10 of 12 faceoffs (83.3%) in 14:15 of ice time, including a perfect 3-0 against Macklin Celebrini and 3-0 against Alex Wennberg in the defensive zone. The question now is will Michaels remain a lineup regular even once the team gets healthy.

What the Oilers might be most excited about is the fact that they're playing well and improving each game. They're also doing it without some big names in Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Matt Savoie. Hyman is set to return on Tuesday versus the Los Angeles Kings and the other two later this month if not early November. 

Babcock is liking what he's seeing, but told the Oilers this is just the start. 

"It's always easy to crack a little bit, but when you believe in who you are and what you do, and you keep doing it, you win night after night after night. And guys, we're just starting We're going to get a whole f--- heck of a lot better. I promise you that."

Edmonton has allowed just four goals in its last three games. Given that they allowed touchdowns in the first two games of the season, things are trending in the right direction. 

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