<p>The Edmonton Oilers went 1-1-1 in three games last week and wrapped it up with an electrifying tilt against the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-52-0-oilers-finish-six-game-homestand-with-three-wins-and-three-losses">Toronto Maple Leafs.</a> They could’ve snuck out at least a point, if not for that offside call that felt like a punch to the gut just as things were heating up, right before Leon Draisaitl sniped the puck past Justin Woll.</p>
<p>Among the key storylines last week, we saw Captain Connor McDavid return after missing three games, registering two points, and John Klingberg making his long-awaited return after a year away from the NHL. Also, last week&#8217;s food item to hit the ice at Rogers Place was an octopus, which, honestly, is a trend that needs to be put to an end. With that, let’s dive into the Oilers&#8217; Three Stars of the Week.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Oilers’ 3rd Star: Evan Bouchard</h2>
<p><strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts<br />
Season Stats – 52 GP – 9 G – 31 A – 40 Pts</strong></p>
<p>Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard, arguably the team’s most polarizing player, recorded a goal and two assists in three games last week, earning the Oilers’ Third Star of the Week.</p>
<p>He had an up-and-down game a<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-50-0-goaltending-continues-to-be-key-for-oilers-in-win-over-kraken">gainst the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 27</a>. While he didn’t register any points, scoring chances were 18-6 in his favour at 5v5 according to <em>Natural Stat Trick</em>, but he was also dinged with four defensive-zone giveaways, one leading to a goal against—certainly fuel for the Bouchard critics. Despite that, he played the most even-strength minutes of any Oiler (19:52 TOI).</p>
<p>His play steadily improved throughout the week, and he picked up a primary assist on a cross-ice pass for Draisaitl’s opening goal <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/instant-reaction-oilers-blow-early-lead-and-fall-in-shootout-to-red-wings">against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 30</a>. That night, he was credited with six shots on goal and played the most minutes of any Oilers D-man (25:40 TOI) in a game where he made mostly good defensive plays.</p>
<p>Yet, he was one of the Oilers&#8217; best players in the second half of the game against Toronto. With Mattias Ekholm out of the lineup, it was a great test to see how Bouchard would respond—and he stepped up in a big way, playing a team-high 27:04, his third-most minutes of the season. He had some early defensive lapses, but he gave the team a spark <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/instant-reaction-an-offside-review-and-a-save-of-the-year-thwart-oilers-comeback-against-leafs">by blasting a slap shot past Joseph Woll</a> in the second period to cut Toronto’s lead to 3-1, then picked up an assist on the 3-2 goal with a quick transition pass.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">evan bouchard with a BOMB to get the oilers into the game. <a href="https://t.co/2TR7hM5MRT">pic.twitter.com/2TR7hM5MRT</a></p>
<p>&mdash; zach (@zjlaing) <a href="https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885863699858223476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Overall, Bouchard fired eight shots on goal against the Maple Leafs, including an absolute rocket set up for him with two minutes remaining in the game, but Woll made an incredible stop. That said, he finished with a plus-two rating, and the scoring chances were 16-7 in his favour at even strength. He looked mighty dangerous in the second half of the game, which was almost reminiscent of the Bouchard who showed that killer instinct during last year&#8217;s playoffs.</p>
<p>With Ekholm out of the lineup, it was great to see Bouchard step up his game. The blueliner has been inconsistent all season and hopefully his performance last game can be a stepping stone for him to dial in more steadiness for the rest of the season.</p>
<h2>Oilers’ 2nd Star: Corey Perry</h2>
<p><strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 2 G – 0 A – 2 Pts<br />
Season Stats – 51 GP – 10 G – 8 A – 18 Pts</strong></p>
<p>The Oilers’ oldest player, Corey Perry, earned <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-3-stars-of-the-week-perry-puts-on-a-mind-games-masterclass-nugent-hopkins-scores-clutch-goals">the Oilers&#8217; Second Star of the Week</a> last week after recording two points in three games and rattling the entire Vancouver Canucks squad and he locks down the number two spot again this week after scoring two goals in three games.</p>
<p>In the 4-2 win over the Kraken, the former Hart Trophy winner scored the game-winning goal after finding himself all alone at Seattle’s blue line. Darnell Nurse <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-10-oilers-plays-from-january-draisaitls-dominance-big-saves-and-game-winners">made a terrific 75-foot pass to Perry</a>, who skated in uncontested and showed patience before shooting five-hole on Joey Daccord. He didn’t get on the scoresheet against Detroit, but he drew a tripping penalty and earned his team a power play through his relentless hustle.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EDM SEA G50. January 27, 2025. Corey Perry goal. 3-2 EDM. 🎥 Sportsnet <a href="https://t.co/vlQMffhAuA">pic.twitter.com/vlQMffhAuA</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1884087306451312949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Two nights later against the Maple Leafs, the 39-year-old was promoted to the top line to play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, playing 9:49 minutes with them at 5v5. Quite often, the master of gamesmanship, knows exactly what&#8217;s required at any given moment in the game, and he showed that when he tried sparking his team and roughed up <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/conor-timmins/2797">Conor Timmins</a>, taking offsetting penalties near the end of the first period after they went down 3-0.</p>
<p>Moreover, with the Oilers trailing 4-2 in the third period, the 20-year NHL vet simply threw the puck on net off the cycle, beating Woll, proving that sometimes a simple shot on goal works just as well as the fancy plays. He finished with three shots on the night, including a glorious chance in front with practically no time remaining, reading and anticipating Bouchard’s rebound, but Woll did his best prime Dominik Hasek impression, making a miraculous glove save that will surely be a candidate for save of the year.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">what a stop from joseph woll to preserve the leafs win. <a href="https://t.co/qiozIJvTKk">pic.twitter.com/qiozIJvTKk</a></p>
<p>&mdash; zach (@zjlaing) <a href="https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885882904716484774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Additionally, over the three games Perry played in last week, his ice time increased from 10:39 to 12:57, and then to 13:40 in the final game. The 39-year-old reached double-digit goals with his latest tally against the Maple Leafs, and it&#8217;s great to see him playing so well, but I also hope he saves some of this hunger that he&#8217;s been playing with lately, for the playoffs.</p>
<h2>Oilers’ 1st Star: Leon Draisaitl</h2>
<p><strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts</strong><br />
<strong>Season Stats – 52 GP – 36 G – 41 A – 77 Pts</strong></p>
<p>Leon Draisaitl was the Oilers&#8217; most productive forward last week, scoring a goal and two assists in three games, while also playing a ton of minutes, averaging 23:20 TOI. With that, the centerman earns the Oilers’ First Star of the Week.</p>
<p>The Cologne, Germany native picked up an assist against the Kraken with a sleek backhand feed on McDavid&#8217;s tying goal. While Draisaitl only registered a single point, he also rang a shot off the post and out-chanced the Kraken 7-3 in high-danger chances at 5v5.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EDM DET G51. January 30, 2025. Leon Draisaitl goal. 1-0 EDM. 🎥 Sportsnet <a href="https://t.co/2TcVP9cixB">pic.twitter.com/2TcVP9cixB</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1885152018270216237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Additionally, The Deutschland Dangler <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/a-second-period-collapse-ruined-the-oilers-night-leon-draisaitl-keeps-scoring-and-the-john-klingberg-era-begins">was the best Oiler against the Red Wings</a>, opening the scoring on the power play. He moved the puck well, and with a little more luck, he could’ve picked up a few points, registering a season-high 10 shots on net in the 3-2 shootout loss.</p>
<p>Draisaitl led all forwards in ice time (25:58 TOI) against Toronto, picking up an assist on Perry’s goal and absolutely burying a shot from his office <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/draisaitl-climbs-to-first-on-tsns-top-25-nhl-players-ranking-mcdavid-lands-third">with only two minutes remaining in the game</a>—only for it to be called back due to an offside. That was a tough one for Oilers fans to see the goal called off, as it would’ve likely set up an amazing Saturday night OT with tons of firepower on both teams. But c’est la vie. Overall, the Oilers deserved a better fate against the Maple Leafs, outshooting them 48-28, with Draisaitl contributing six of those shots.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">leon draisaitl scores what would’ve been the game tying goal, but john klingberg was offside as the oilers entered the offensive zone. <a href="https://t.co/nGVW2QHX8Y">pic.twitter.com/nGVW2QHX8Y</a></p>
<p>&mdash; zach (@zjlaing) <a href="https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885881290563666308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>All things considered, it was somewhat of a down week for Draisaitl in terms of points, with him ‘only’ recording three points after tallying five points the previous week. However, that wasn’t for lack of effort—across the three games last week, he combined for a 24-11 edge in high-danger chances, and with a little more bounces his way, he could’ve had a few more points.</p>
<p>Moreover, Draisaitl sits just three points behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead. With games against the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks followed by a date with MacKinnon’s Colorado Avalanche in the final game before the break for the 4 Nations Face-off, I think the big centerman’s in for a huge week points-wise before the break, especially with a couple of weeks off coming up. He’ll go all out, and I’m predicting he’ll pass MacKinnon in points when they meet on Feb. 7.</p>
<p>With that in mind, do you think Bouchard can find more consistency after his strong performance against the Maple Leafs? And can Perry maintain his level of play down the playoff stretch?</p>

The Edmonton Oilers went 1-1-1 in three games last week and wrapped it up with an electrifying tilt against the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-52-0-oilers-finish-six-game-homestand-with-three-wins-and-three-losses">Toronto Maple Leafs.</a> They could’ve snuck out at least a point, if not for that offside call that felt like a punch to the gut just as things were heating up, right before Leon Draisaitl sniped the puck past Justin Woll.

Among the key storylines last week, we saw Captain Connor McDavid return after missing three games, registering two points, and John Klingberg making his long-awaited return after a year away from the NHL. Also, last week's food item to hit the ice at Rogers Place was an octopus, which, honestly, is a trend that needs to be put to an end. With that, let’s dive into the Oilers' Three Stars of the Week.


<h2>Oilers’ 3rd Star: Evan Bouchard</h2>
<strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts
Season Stats – 52 GP – 9 G – 31 A – 40 Pts</strong>

Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard, arguably the team’s most polarizing player, recorded a goal and two assists in three games last week, earning the Oilers’ Third Star of the Week.

He had an up-and-down game a<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-50-0-goaltending-continues-to-be-key-for-oilers-in-win-over-kraken">gainst the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 27</a>. While he didn’t register any points, scoring chances were 18-6 in his favour at 5v5 according to <em>Natural Stat Trick</em>, but he was also dinged with four defensive-zone giveaways, one leading to a goal against—certainly fuel for the Bouchard critics. Despite that, he played the most even-strength minutes of any Oiler (19:52 TOI).

His play steadily improved throughout the week, and he picked up a primary assist on a cross-ice pass for Draisaitl’s opening goal <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/instant-reaction-oilers-blow-early-lead-and-fall-in-shootout-to-red-wings">against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 30</a>. That night, he was credited with six shots on goal and played the most minutes of any Oilers D-man (25:40 TOI) in a game where he made mostly good defensive plays.

Yet, he was one of the Oilers' best players in the second half of the game against Toronto. With Mattias Ekholm out of the lineup, it was a great test to see how Bouchard would respond—and he stepped up in a big way, playing a team-high 27:04, his third-most minutes of the season. He had some early defensive lapses, but he gave the team a spark <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/instant-reaction-an-offside-review-and-a-save-of-the-year-thwart-oilers-comeback-against-leafs">by blasting a slap shot past Joseph Woll</a> in the second period to cut Toronto’s lead to 3-1, then picked up an assist on the 3-2 goal with a quick transition pass.

https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885863699858223476

Overall, Bouchard fired eight shots on goal against the Maple Leafs, including an absolute rocket set up for him with two minutes remaining in the game, but Woll made an incredible stop. That said, he finished with a plus-two rating, and the scoring chances were 16-7 in his favour at even strength. He looked mighty dangerous in the second half of the game, which was almost reminiscent of the Bouchard who showed that killer instinct during last year's playoffs.

With Ekholm out of the lineup, it was great to see Bouchard step up his game. The blueliner has been inconsistent all season and hopefully his performance last game can be a stepping stone for him to dial in more steadiness for the rest of the season.
<h2>Oilers’ 2nd Star: Corey Perry</h2>
<strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 2 G – 0 A – 2 Pts
Season Stats – 51 GP – 10 G – 8 A – 18 Pts</strong>

The Oilers’ oldest player, Corey Perry, earned <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-3-stars-of-the-week-perry-puts-on-a-mind-games-masterclass-nugent-hopkins-scores-clutch-goals">the Oilers' Second Star of the Week</a> last week after recording two points in three games and rattling the entire Vancouver Canucks squad and he locks down the number two spot again this week after scoring two goals in three games.

In the 4-2 win over the Kraken, the former Hart Trophy winner scored the game-winning goal after finding himself all alone at Seattle’s blue line. Darnell Nurse <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-10-oilers-plays-from-january-draisaitls-dominance-big-saves-and-game-winners">made a terrific 75-foot pass to Perry</a>, who skated in uncontested and showed patience before shooting five-hole on Joey Daccord. He didn’t get on the scoresheet against Detroit, but he drew a tripping penalty and earned his team a power play through his relentless hustle.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1884087306451312949

Two nights later against the Maple Leafs, the 39-year-old was promoted to the top line to play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, playing 9:49 minutes with them at 5v5. Quite often, the master of gamesmanship, knows exactly what's required at any given moment in the game, and he showed that when he tried sparking his team and roughed up <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/conor-timmins/2797">Conor Timmins</a>, taking offsetting penalties near the end of the first period after they went down 3-0.

Moreover, with the Oilers trailing 4-2 in the third period, the 20-year NHL vet simply threw the puck on net off the cycle, beating Woll, proving that sometimes a simple shot on goal works just as well as the fancy plays. He finished with three shots on the night, including a glorious chance in front with practically no time remaining, reading and anticipating Bouchard’s rebound, but Woll did his best prime Dominik Hasek impression, making a miraculous glove save that will surely be a candidate for save of the year.

https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885882904716484774

Additionally, over the three games Perry played in last week, his ice time increased from 10:39 to 12:57, and then to 13:40 in the final game. The 39-year-old reached double-digit goals with his latest tally against the Maple Leafs, and it's great to see him playing so well, but I also hope he saves some of this hunger that he's been playing with lately, for the playoffs.
<h2>Oilers’ 1st Star: Leon Draisaitl</h2>
<strong>Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts</strong>
<strong>Season Stats – 52 GP – 36 G – 41 A – 77 Pts</strong>

Leon Draisaitl was the Oilers' most productive forward last week, scoring a goal and two assists in three games, while also playing a ton of minutes, averaging 23:20 TOI. With that, the centerman earns the Oilers’ First Star of the Week.

The Cologne, Germany native picked up an assist against the Kraken with a sleek backhand feed on McDavid's tying goal. While Draisaitl only registered a single point, he also rang a shot off the post and out-chanced the Kraken 7-3 in high-danger chances at 5v5.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1885152018270216237

Additionally, The Deutschland Dangler <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/a-second-period-collapse-ruined-the-oilers-night-leon-draisaitl-keeps-scoring-and-the-john-klingberg-era-begins">was the best Oiler against the Red Wings</a>, opening the scoring on the power play. He moved the puck well, and with a little more luck, he could’ve picked up a few points, registering a season-high 10 shots on net in the 3-2 shootout loss.

Draisaitl led all forwards in ice time (25:58 TOI) against Toronto, picking up an assist on Perry’s goal and absolutely burying a shot from his office <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/draisaitl-climbs-to-first-on-tsns-top-25-nhl-players-ranking-mcdavid-lands-third">with only two minutes remaining in the game</a>—only for it to be called back due to an offside. That was a tough one for Oilers fans to see the goal called off, as it would’ve likely set up an amazing Saturday night OT with tons of firepower on both teams. But c’est la vie. Overall, the Oilers deserved a better fate against the Maple Leafs, outshooting them 48-28, with Draisaitl contributing six of those shots.

https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1885881290563666308

All things considered, it was somewhat of a down week for Draisaitl in terms of points, with him ‘only’ recording three points after tallying five points the previous week. However, that wasn’t for lack of effort—across the three games last week, he combined for a 24-11 edge in high-danger chances, and with a little more bounces his way, he could’ve had a few more points.

Moreover, Draisaitl sits just three points behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead. With games against the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks followed by a date with MacKinnon’s Colorado Avalanche in the final game before the break for the 4 Nations Face-off, I think the big centerman’s in for a huge week points-wise before the break, especially with a couple of weeks off coming up. He’ll go all out, and I’m predicting he’ll pass MacKinnon in points when they meet on Feb. 7.

With that in mind, do you think Bouchard can find more consistency after his strong performance against the Maple Leafs? And can Perry maintain his level of play down the playoff stretch?

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