Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ impactful return, Zach Hyman’s first goal, and Stuart Skinner gets the shutout

The Edmonton Oilers rolled into Seattle on Saturday afternoon looking for signs of life after getting dummied by the Stars on Thursday night in one of the worst losses of the season. With injuries piling up, trade rumours flying all over social media, and the season slipping quietly toward the danger zone, this matchup with the Kraken felt less like a late-November matinee and more like a gut check test the boys desperately needed to pass. And exactly as we all hoped, the Oilers understood the assignment. They went into Seattle and took two points with a 4-0 win without ever looking like the result was in doubt, penalties and all. That’s a big dub.WELCOME BACK, RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINSRyan Nugent-Hopkins was back in the lineup after missing nine games with a concussion, and it did not take him long to make an impact on the game. Even though we knew he would give the team quality minutes in all situations, he also took it upon himself to open the scoring on what ended up as the game-winner just past the midway point of the first period. Nuge’s sixth of the year also marked the 300th of his NHL career while simultaneously kick-starting a power play unit that had been spinning its wheels a little bit over the last couple of weeks. To say that the guy is vital to this roster’s success would be a massive understatement. He may not be the best player in the lineup, and we are always looking for more five-on-five offence, but he is undoubtedly one of the most important.

On Saturday, Nuge gave us yet another under-the-radar performance that saw him post a goal and an assist (18 points in 17 GP), two shots on goal, and a big blocked shot on the PK when the Kraken were gifted six PP minutes toward the end of the first period, all in under 18 minutes of TOI. It is the kind of game that tends to go unnoticed when you have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scoring goals, and Zach Hyman finally cashing his first of the season. But even without the spotlight, Nugent-Hopkins will go about his business and do whatever his coach asks of him, and you really notice when he is not in the lineup. That should not surprise anyone for the longest tenured Oiler. There is a reason every coach in the long list of coaches he has had has loved him, and Saturday afternoon was yet another example of why you Keep Nuge Forever.

ZACH HYMAN GETS ON THE BOARDIt has been a grind for Zach Hyman in the seven games he has played since returning from his wrist injury. It is a lot to go out in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, recover from the required surgery, miss training camp, the pre-season, and the first month of the season, so it was always going to take a minute for ZMH to get back up to game speed. It’s one thing to be healthy enough to play, but another story entirely to get back up to NHL game speed. That is why I was so pumped to see him cash in his first goal of the year on what was a lucky bounce off his skate on Leon Draisaitl’s low shot attempt. It was the most Zach Hyman goal that Zach Hyman could ever score. You never question the effort when it comes to Hyman, but sometimes it is nice to get a lucky one from time to time to crack the floodgates open.And to think that it was his first goal in more than six months makes you believe that goal must have felt damned good, even though it was not the prettiest thing you will ever see. That bodes well for an Oilers offence that can always use more drivers. Hyman finished the game with two points (1G, 1A), two shots, one hit, and a plus-one rating in only 15:27 of TOI. Clearly, the coaching staff is still working Hyman into the mix tactfully after all the time he has missed, but he is also a guy who scores in bunches, and I will not be the least bit surprised if this lucky one off his skate kickstarts a run that gets our favourite child author, entrepreneur, and gentleman’s season back on track. We knew it was going to take time, but I am hoping that notching three points in his last five games is the start of better days. The effort is always there, and I would bet Gregor’s money that Saturday’s goal was only the first of many to come.STUART SKINNER GETS THE SHUTOUTIt’s been a long week of goalie talk around here after a long month of it before that, and with only two games on the schedule this week, there wasn’t a whole lot else to talk about. Start Skinner is taking heat, per tradition. Calvin Pickard is in the same boat. And with both guys getting tagged for four goals apiece on Tuesday, it was fair to wonder how the former would respond in his start on Saturday afternoon in Seattle. So, how did Stuart Skinner respond to allowing four goals on eight shots against the Dallas Stars? With a 26-save shutout. That’s how. If ever there was a way to do it, Stu just worked the playbook perfectly. Whether it was being down shorthanded six times and coming through when needed, or shutting the door in moments when Seattle wasn’t pinned in its own zone, Skinner set a sturdy foundation that his teammates could build upon.And while the haters will say that it was a one-off or that Seattle cannot score or whatever other excuse comes to mind, Stuart Skinner responded to a rough start and a long week of questioning by not allowing a single puck to get past him. In terms of expectations, that is as good as it gets, and if we are going to pile on Stu when things go sideways, then it is only fair to give him his flowers when he locks things down. This was the exact kind of performance his teammates needed behind them, and it was the exact kind of performance he needed for himself. If the Oilers are going to drag their season back to life, they need more nights where their goaltender gives them a chance instead of drowning in the same mistakes as everyone else. On Saturday, Skinner did his part. And whether you buy into the rumours or not, I’m tipping my cap to the guy for bouncing back as best as you possibly can. Now we’ll see if he can build upon it… if he’s still around… if you buy into the rumours.THE SAUCE W/ RYDER AND LISAWake up with Ryder and Lisa on The Sauce! Your new chaotic morning show streaming live from 8-10AM MST every weekday on Oilersnation YouTube starting Monday November 3rd. It’s unpredictable, unfiltered, and totally them. Like, follow and subscribe to never miss an episode!