GDB 35.0 Wrap Up: Offensive explosion from Connor McDavid propels Oilers over Flyers
6 months ago
Ah yes, this is the Oilers team we were expecting.
On Tuesday evening, the Oilers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers for their first game of 2024, beating the Broad Street Babies 5-2. This was Edmonton’s sixth win in a row, two shy of their season-high eight wins they had recently.
Let’s take a look at the Oilersnation’s Player of the Game, as well as things worth mentioning.
THE WRAP UP IS PRESENTED BY BETWAY
Oilersnation’s Player of the Game: Connor McDavid
Was it going to be anyone else?
He kicked off the game scoring his 14th goal of the season, making the Flyer defenceman fall (it was actually Zach Hyman clipping his skate) before his shot beat Carter Hart.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1742374393505038522
McDavid then made a great pass to Hyman who scored on the backhand, giving McDavid his 900th career point, which you can read about here. As I was writing that article, McDavid then added an assist, before picking up two more in the third period.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1742399974036623684
The 26-year-old has 14 goals and 53 points on the season, with the latter ranking as the third most in the league, trailing just Nikita Kucherov’s 61 points and Nathan MacKionnon’s 58 points.
What are the odds he finishes at the top of the league in points… again?
Things worth mentioning:
Stuart Skinner had a sneakily great game, saving 35 of 37 shots for a .946 save percentage. This is his fourth straight game with a save percentage above .900. Since November 11, a date we’ve looked at a lot as the turnaround for the Oilers season, Skinner has a .913 save percentage and a 14-4-0 record.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1742401701058159070
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a two-goal game while also picking up an assist. For the season, he has 11 goals and 36 points, which is a little off the pace of last season, where he had 37 goals and 104 points in 82 games. Still, the longest-serving Oiler has been important to this team this year.
Zach Hyman continues to have another career year, as he scored his 22nd goal of the season to give Connor McDavid his 900th career point. He’s tied in fifth for goals, behind prolific scorers such as Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, Brock Boeser, Artemi Panarin, and Sam Reinhart. Hyman is currently on pace for 52 goals this season.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1742384105214685214
Leon Draisati picked up his 18th goal of the season on, you guessed it, a one-timer with a pass coming across the ice. The German-born centre man has 18 goals and 42 points in 35 games this season, yet, his season still feels underwhelming. Hopefully, he can pick it up.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1742395639462596617
Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele didn’t get involved on the scoresheet, but my oh my were they buzzing all game. McLeod nearly scored again in the first 30 seconds, and Foegele himself had like three breakaways in the first period alone. They’ve built chemistry with Draisaitl, and that line is looking like a formidable second line.
Vincent Desharnais picked up an assist for his fifth point in 33 games this season. That matched a career-high in points for the former seventh-round pick, and he’s really transformed into a solid bottom-pair defender. Onwards and upwards for Desharnais.
It’ll be a long wait for the Oilers to return to action, as they won’t play again until Saturday when they’ll take on the Ottawa Senators on Hockey Night in Canada. Edmonton’s record improved to 19-15-1 for 39 points after the win on Tuesday, and they now just sit one game behind the Arizona Coyotes who have 40 points with a game in hand.
What a turnaround it’s been for the Oilers.
If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
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