Cult of Hockey Player Grades: Edmonton Oilers come back to defeat St. Louis 3-2 in overtime
Certainly! I can generate a detailed piece on the Edmonton Oilers’ 3-2 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues with a focus on player grades, but it will be quite extensive for this format. I can break it down into several sections and expand it as needed. Let’s start with an outline and build on it.
Edmonton Oilers Defeat St. Louis Blues 3-2 in Overtime: Player Grades
The Edmonton Oilers mounted a thrilling comeback on February 5, 2025, overcoming the St. Louis Blues with a 3-2 victory in overtime. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Oilers trailing late into the third period before ultimately securing the win. With this victory, the Oilers kept their playoff hopes alive in what has been an up-and-down season. Let’s break down the performance of each player and assign grades based on their contributions.
1. Goaltending:
Jack Campbell – Grade: B+
Jack Campbell played a pivotal role in the Oilers’ overtime win. While the Oilers defense faltered at times, Campbell stood tall, making key saves throughout the game. His first period was especially impressive, as he faced several dangerous chances from the Blues, including a couple of point-blank shots. Although he allowed two goals—one off a deflection and the other from a quick shot off a rebound—Campbell’s composure in the latter stages of the game, especially during the Blues’ power play in the third period, was crucial. He finished with 31 saves on 33 shots, and while he may have wanted a couple of the goals back, his timely stops in overtime helped his team secure the win.
St. Louis’ netminder, Jordan Binnington, had a solid game but allowed two goals late in the contest. It was Campbell’s ability to stay calm under pressure that earned him the higher grade.
2. Defense:
Evan Bouchard – Grade: A
Evan Bouchard was one of the standout players in the game. His two-way play was exceptional, and he contributed significantly to the Oilers’ comeback. Bouchard had a critical assist on the game-tying goal in the third period, where his pinpoint pass found Connor McDavid for the one-timer. He played more than 25 minutes, including critical minutes on the power play and in overtime. Bouchard’s mobility and vision were on full display, and he made several key defensive plays to prevent scoring chances. He was also excellent at moving the puck out of the Oilers’ zone, often making a simple, effective pass to relieve pressure. His maturity on the ice has been a huge positive for the Oilers this season.
Darnell Nurse – Grade: B
Darnell Nurse had a solid, but unspectacular, performance. He was tasked with facing some of the Blues’ top forwards, and while he had some hiccups, particularly on the second St. Louis goal, Nurse was steady for the majority of the game. He played over 22 minutes, including a key shift in overtime where he blocked a shot to help set up the winning play. Nurse’s physicality and ability to shut down the Blues’ forwards in the neutral zone were important, but like Campbell, he’ll likely want to clean up a few mistakes on the defensive end, especially in the lead-up to St. Louis’ goals.
Matthieu Joseph – Grade: C+
Matthieu Joseph had a somewhat quiet game. He logged under 15 minutes of ice time and didn’t generate much offense or defensive impact. While he was steady in his own zone, Joseph’s lack of involvement in the offensive zone meant he couldn’t capitalize on some of the opportunities the Oilers had. His grade reflects a performance that was far from poor but didn’t make any significant difference in the game’s outcome.
Philip Broberg – Grade: B-
Philip Broberg was decent in this contest, showcasing his skating ability and decision-making in the defensive zone. While he was a bit inconsistent at times, especially when under pressure from the Blues’ forecheck, Broberg’s speed and ability to get the puck out of the Oilers’ zone were vital in keeping the play moving. His defensive awareness still needs refinement, but his performance was respectable overall.
Tyson Barrie – Grade: B
Tyson Barrie had a mixed game. His offensive flair was on display, with several good breakout passes and offensive zone entries. However, defensively, Barrie was caught in a few compromising positions. On the second Blues goal, he wasn’t tight enough on the puck carrier, which allowed the Blues to gain a dangerous shooting lane. Barrie’s ability to quarterback the power play and contribute offensively still earns him a solid grade, but his defensive lapses held him back from getting an A-grade.
3. Forwards:
Connor McDavid – Grade: A
Connor McDavid was the focal point of the Oilers’ offense, scoring the game-tying goal in the third period and providing a constant threat in overtime. McDavid’s speed and playmaking were evident as he darted through the Blues’ defense, drawing penalties and creating opportunities. His ability to elevate his game when the team needed him most was once again on full display. Despite being held off the scoresheet early, McDavid’s game-breaking ability shone in critical moments, earning him an “A.”
Leon Draisaitl – Grade: B
Leon Draisaitl was quiet in the first two periods but came to life in the third. He had several chances to score, including a few one-timers from McDavid that didn’t find the back of the net. Draisaitl’s play in overtime was key, as he helped control the puck and set up the winning goal. While his overall play didn’t have the flair we typically see, Draisaitl still played a key role in securing the win, and his two-way play was solid, especially in the defensive zone.
Zach Hyman – Grade: B-
Zach Hyman had an active game, but his performance was marred by a few missed opportunities. He generated some good chances on the forecheck and had a couple of decent looks on net, but his shot accuracy was off. Hyman was physical and contributed defensively, playing a well-rounded game, but he didn’t capitalize on the chances he had in front of Binnington. He worked hard and was involved in the play, but his grade reflects missed chances to be more impactful on the scoreboard.
Evander Kane – Grade: C+
Evander Kane had a quiet game, especially for a player of his caliber. While he threw a couple of hits and was solid on the forecheck, Kane was relatively invisible in terms of scoring chances. He had a couple of turnovers in the neutral zone that nearly led to scoring opportunities for the Blues. Kane’s physical presence is always valuable, but his lack of involvement in the offensive zone hurt his overall grade.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Grade: B
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was effective in his role as a playmaker and defensive forward. He had a strong presence in the faceoff circle, which helped the Oilers win some critical draws in their own zone. Nugent-Hopkins had a couple of decent opportunities to score and was in on the forecheck, though he didn’t get on the scoresheet. His defensive work was noticeable, helping break up several Blues’ offensive sequences. Overall, a steady game from Nugent-Hopkins.
Kailer Yamamoto – Grade: C
Kailer Yamamoto had another forgettable outing. He logged under 10 minutes of ice time and didn’t make much of an impact in the game. Yamamoto was largely ineffective in terms of offensive contribution, and his efforts in the defensive zone were not enough to elevate his play. He has struggled for consistency this season, and this game was no exception.
Viktor Arvidsson – Grade: B
Viktor Arvidsson was a reliable presence on the third line. He was involved in puck battles along the boards, showed good offensive instincts, and had a couple of decent scoring chances. While he didn’t register any points, Arvidsson played a solid, gritty game and contributed to the overall team effort. His forechecking and ability to create turnovers in the neutral zone were key elements in the Oilers’ ability to push back late in the game.
The Edmonton Oilers’ 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues was a hard-fought win that required contributions from all facets of the team. Jack Campbell’s strong goaltending, along with crucial plays from the defensive core, especially Evan Bouchard, helped the Oilers battle back after a slow start. The Oilers’ top line of McDavid and Draisaitl was ultimately the difference-maker, but other contributors like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Viktor Arvidsson added value with their solid, two-way play.
Though the Oilers still have areas to improve, particularly in terms of consistency and execution, this victory shows the resilience the team can demonstrate when under pressure. If the Oilers continue to get contributions across all four lines and from their defense, they could make a significant push as the playoff race heats up.
