After giving up two on the power play last time out on home ice against the Utah Mammoth, the Oilers’ penalty kill has pitched in with two clean games without allowing a goal, a trend that reflects their commitment to an aggressive style this year.
“I just thought the last two games it was coming, but we keep giving up the odd goal,” Head Coach Mike Babcock said. “I thought the last two games against two really good power plays, we were way more assertive.”
When the break came in overtime on Hughes’ too-many-men penalty, that’s all the Oilers needed to give Bouchard his cake – and let him eat it, too – with a snapshot under the crossbar on Jesper Wallstedt that capped off a special night for No. 2 and the special teams.
“They just keep coming, and they know it’s a patient game, and you just keep plugging away, and you’re going to get a break,” Babcock said. “And these guys are going to make their own breaks anyway, and you saw that on the power play.”