Podkolzin snaps scoring slump in Oilers win over Rangers
Vasily Podkolzin vowed there's more to come after his first goal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Podkolzin scored the game’s first goal and Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist for the Oilers in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Podkolzin was all over opposing nets in recent games and was finally rewarded when he beat Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick for his first goal this season, his first as an Oiler and his first goal since last March.
“It's tough, but sometimes you need these challenges in your life to be a better hockey player,” Podkolzin said.
“Be patient, keep working, and try to think positive. Have a strong mentality.”
Leon Draisaitl dropped the puck back to Podkolzin whose one-timer went in off the post with 2:26 left in the first period.
The 23-year-old Russian forward was a 10th overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, but he was traded to the Oilers in the summer for a fourth-round draft pick.
Draisaitl's been impressed by Podkolzin’s play and was thrilled to see him rewarded.
“He’s underrated and does a lot of things that go unnoticed, that a lot of people that don’t really understand hockey don’t pick up on,” Draisaitl said. “I am happy for him to get on the board. He's had plenty of looks. Hopefully, this opens the floodgates for him.”
Podkolzin said Draisaitl has been very supportive through his scoring drought.
“He tells me after almost every game, ‘Keep going. Everything is good. Work hard, and this stuff will come,'” he said.
Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist, while Darnell Nurse scored shorthanded for the Oilers (11-9-2) who have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight outings.
Saturday's game was Nurse's first since a check to his head a week earlier by Toronto's Ryan Reaves, who was suspended five games for it.
Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown each had a pair of assists for Edmonton.
“There is a lot to build off of,” said Nurse. “It’s one of those foundation games that you can gain some momentum off of if we can take it and use it the right way. You want to be good on home ice, especially against good teams, and we did that tonight.”
The Oilers start a five-day break from action on Sunday. They return to game ice on Friday, when they visit Salt Lake City for the first time to face the Utah Hockey Club and begin a three-game road trip that will also see the Oilers play the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 3.
With files from CTV News Edmonton
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
Trudeau Liberals' two-month GST holiday bill passes the House, off to the Senate
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays passed in the House of Commons late Thursday.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Sneak peak ahead of the reopening
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
Can't resist Black Friday weekend deals? How to shop while staying within your budget
A budgeting expert says there are a number of ways shoppers can avoid getting enveloped by the sales frenzy and resist spending beyond their means.
Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent unhoused from loitering
A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people from loitering in its emergency exit stairwells.