Watch It Again: McDavid to Rattie to Nuge Magic

Oh Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, how we have missed you the last two games.

On our recent road trip to Calgary, as we arrived into town, we were just reaching the Calgary city limits when the news that Nuge had hurt his groin. The mood in the bus remained high (and drunk), but the pain felt by Nuge’s biggest fan, BaggedMilk was palpable. No doubt the rest of the team, and indeed one Connor McDavid felt it. The Oilers scored two goals in the last two games without the “McNuge” line leading the way as it has been near the end of this season.

Nuge is back after two games away and it’s no mystery why the Oilers flying.

The entire time spent in the Vegas end that lead to the Oilers goal to take the 1-0 lead over the Pacific Division leading Golden Knights was a thing of beauty.

Initially Slepyshev is left by his linemates who shuffle off the ice to get a change going. Instead of tossing the puck deep, Anton does a great job to get the puck in the zone and then holding possession.

Next up is the great play by Adam Larsson who follows the play in and takes the puck deep. He takes on two Golden Knights and harasses them enough that the on-coming Oilers (Nuge and Connor) can get the puck and a quick sauce pass by Nuge hits Larsson for a quick shot that goes off Subban’s blocker.

Then the returned, and healthy Nuge gains the rebound and holds, and holds, and holds some more; drawing Malcolm Subban so far out of position he thought he was back in Boston. The Nuge tries to feed one over to a well covered (by three Knights) Connor, and the pass can’t connect. Great chance in front of a wide open net though.

Insert Larsson again, as he recovers that missed pass and gets it to McDavid with a nice drop pass. McDavid skates up towards the blue line and somehow threads a pass through the Knights Bellemare’s legs.

One a shift where patience was paramount, Rattie takes no time to get the puck right to Nuge’s stick, and in no time, the back of the net.

Just an absolute thing of beauty from the top line of the Edmonton Oilers. #McNuge forever.