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Jarry Posts Back-to-Back Shutouts as Edmonton Blanks Islanders 4-0
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- Jarry Posts Back-to-Back Shutouts as Edmonton Blanks Islanders 4-0
The Edmonton Oilers beat the New York Islanders 4-0 on Saturday and improved to 10-2-2. Tristan Jarry made 18 saves for his second straight shutout, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice.
Edmonton is a perfect 6-0-0 away from home. Here are the key takeaways.
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Jarry is Locked In
Jarry has had too many poor showings since arriving in Edmonton to get fans to jump on his bandwagon this season. That said, he's starting to show that he's found some confidence in his game.
Jarry's back-to-back shutouts are the first by an Oilers goalie since Mike Smith in April 2022. They're also his first consecutive shutouts since November 2021. His 25th career shutout ties him with Grant Fuhr and Mike Liut. That's solid company, and few would have expected them to be saying that about the Oilers goaltender already this season.
Head coach Mike Babcock said Jarry has regained his confidence and continues to put in the work. Ryan Shea noted, "When the saves are there, he makes them & that's what we need right now."
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Despite Jarry's solid performances, goaltender Matt Tomkins gets the start against the New York Rangers at MSG on Sunday night.
Nugent-Hopkins Is Up to Speed
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been a difference-maker since returning to the lineup. His two-goal night was his third multi-point game in five games back. Head coach Mike Babcock figured it would take a few games for Nuge to find his feet after returning from injury. It seems clear he has.
Afterward, he credited the team's patience at five-on-five. "We just stuck with the game plan," he said, adding that the group trusted its system and didn't force anything.
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McDavid Extends his Own Record
Connor McDavid picked up an assist for the 14th straight game to open the season, extending his own NHL record. He now has a 14-game point streak to start the year, with eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points. Leon Draisaitl added two assists.
His pace is slowing from the start of the season, but it's still incredible. He'll also be the first to say that his individual numbers don't matter if the Oilers keep winning.
Secondary Scoring and Special Teams Deliver
Vasily Podkolzin and Jason Dickinson each scored, giving Edmonton contributions beyond its stars. The Oilers have also scored a power-play goal in seven straight games, even though their man advantage wasn't firing on all cylinders Saturday.
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Edmonton was perfect on the penalty kill as well.
Injury Watch: Isaac Howard
Babcock gave an encouraging update on Howard, who left the game looking hurt. "We don't think it's as serious as it looked," he said, adding that the team hopes for a good recovery day on Sunday. If Howard doesn't feel better, the club will pursue further medical evaluation, but Babcock said the early read is favorable.
Emil Heineman received a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for knee-on-knee contact with Howard.
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