NHL
Babcock praises Levi, faults second-period turnovers after Oilers’ 3–1 win
Edmonton’s coach credits Levi’s saves and Michaels’ detailed play after the Oilers beat Seattle.
Mike Babcock praised Devon Levi’s goaltending but said Edmonton still needed to correct its second-period turnovers after Saturday’s 3–1 win over Seattle.
“We can turn the puck over like I have never seen before,” Babcock said in the Oilers’ postgame interview.
Asked about Edmonton’s five-on-five play, Babcock said he liked the first and third periods. His concern was the middle period, when he felt the Oilers created their own problems with the puck.
Levi stopped 19 of 20 shots. Asked why he started Levi and how the goalie performed, Babcock described him as confident and singled out saves after a penalty-killing mistake and a defensive-zone turnover.
“We got good goaltending tonight,” Babcock said.
Owen Michaels scored Edmonton’s first goal. Asked about the rookie’s attention to details beyond scoring, Babcock cited his faceoffs, physical play and positioning on video.
“We’re lucky to have him,” Babcock said.
Babcock also said his depth lines were more effective than in the previous game. Early power plays and four-on-four situations had concentrated ice time among Edmonton’s top players, leaving the bottom two lines with little work until the second period.
Leon Draisaitl broke the 1–1 tie at 17:33 of the third. Connor McDavid added an empty-net goal at 18:55.
Reporting is based on the Oilers’ complete available 3:52 postgame interview clip.
