Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'Well deserved': Oilers win in Knoblauch's debut

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Monday, 13 November 2023 23:12

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Leon Draisaitl had a goal and three assists, Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, and Edmonton beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Monday night in Kris Knoblauch's debut as Oilers coach.

Zach Hyman and Evander Kane also scored for Edmonton and Stuart Skinner stopped 32 shots. The Oilers got their first home victory of the season and their second straight win overall after losing four in a row.

It was Knoblauch's first game since taking over for the fired Jay Woodcroft on Sunday following the Oilers' 3-9-1 start.

McDavid, who was coached by Knoblauch in juniors, was happy to see him have early success.

"It's obviously exciting for him. First win in the NHL, it's been a long road for him. It is well-deserved," McDavid said. "He came in and was his calm self and didn't give us too much. It was kind of like 'guys go out and play.'"

Knoblauch was pretty pleased with his first day on the job.

"It feels amazing to get that first win, being a head coach was a highlight, just being here and obviously it gets much better when you win," he said. "I liked how our team played, it wasn't a perfect game, certainly we weren't the better team in the first half of the game. I liked how we stayed patient, we stayed the course and we didn't do any unnecessary risks."

Mathew Barzal scored for the Islanders and Ilya Sorokin finished with 28 saves. New York (5-6-3) has dropped five in a row, including four straight in regulation.

"When you're facing it and you're feeling it and things are going the wrong way, it seems to pile on a little bit," Islanders forward Anders Lee said. "So, we've got to stick together, take tomorrow, find a way and come back against Vancouver. That's all we can do. It's frustrating, it's not fun right now."

Knoblauch's debut did not start smoothly as the Oilers coughed up a puck in their end just 40 seconds into the game, allowing Bo Horvat to send it across to Barzal for a one-timer that beat Skinner glove-side.

Edmonton tied it with 5:43 to play in the opening period as Draisaitl skated around Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho and took an off-balance shot that beat Sorokin for his sixth goal of the season.

The Oilers then took the lead with two power-play goals coming less than two minutes apart midway through the third period.

First, McDavid sent the puck from behind the net to Hyman in the crease and he chipped home his eighth of the season and fourth in the past two games at 7:35.

Draisaitl made a long stretch pass to McDavid whose shot hit Sorokin but then trickled into the net at 9:33, ending his eight-game goal-scoring drought.

The Islanders took a chance with 2 minutes to play and pulled their goalie while on a power play, but Draisaitl intercepted a pass and sent Kane in on a short-handed breakaway to put his fourth into the empty net.

The Islanders were without defenseman Adam Pelech (lower body).

Read 99 times

Soccer

Spirit's Rodman wheeled off field after back injury

Spirit's Rodman wheeled off field after back injury

EmailPrintWashington Spirit and United States women's national team forward Trinity Rodman left the...

Ronaldo helps Pioli to debut win; Toney scores 2

Ronaldo helps Pioli to debut win; Toney scores 2

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring as Al Nassr defeated Al Ettifa...

Madrid learn schedule for 1st Intercontinental Cup

Madrid learn schedule for 1st Intercontinental Cup

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe first edition of the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup for club...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Houston Rockets reached terms on a buyout with forward AJ Griff...

Raptors forward Brown undergoes knee surgery

Raptors forward Brown undergoes knee surgery

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsToronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery...

Baseball

A's brace for emotions of final Coliseum 'hurrah'

A's brace for emotions of final Coliseum 'hurrah'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- The A's began their final homestand of their fin...

'Showman' Soto (knee) delivers in pinch for Yanks

'Showman' Soto (knee) delivers in pinch for Yanks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Juan Soto walked up to manager Aaron Boone in th...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated