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GDB 19.0 Wrap Up: Connor Does Dallas

By baggedmilk

Nov 20, 2016, 04:50 ESTUpdated: May 18, 2018, 17:31 EDT

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Hat trick for Connor. Oilers win. Back on the bandwagon. Final Score: 5-2 Oilers

When the Oilers played the Stars eight days ago, they opened up a shooting gallery on Kari Lehtonen, and he stood on his head despite playing in back-to-back games. Tonight? Not so much, but we’ll get to that. Coming into this game, Edmonton had only been able to muster up four goals in the three games played since they lost to the Stars last Friday night. With those numbers, it’s no surprise that the Oilers had lost those same three games as well. Since this losing streak started, the Oilers have been scoring about as often as I did in high school which, as you’ve already figured out, was never. But I’m no quitter. Eventually, through the magic of prayer and patience, my dry spell ended, as it for a few Oilers.

The big story coming into tonight’s game was the influx of wounded soldiers that would be making their return to the lineup. Matt Hendricks made his season debut while Drake Caggiula made his NHL debut. I’ll be honest with you guys, I thought the Oilers were going to start the Drake with the Barons to give him the chance to get his legs back, but I guess they’re going to teach the kid to swim by chucking him in the deep end of pool. Fortunately, Drake performed tonight and I’m happy to be wrong. Equally as important was the return of Kris Russell. Depending on where you sit with fancy stats, Russell’s return to the lineup likely meant an impact was coming on either side of the ledger. Fancy stats or not, one thing everyone can agree on is that the Oilers needed to win this hockey game.

Almost miraculously, the Oilers not only started the game looking like they came to play but they also scored first. Not only did they score first, they actually scored four (FOUR!) straight goals. For a team that hasn’t scored many goals lately, this kind of outburst seemed about as likely me winning the Pulitzer for writing. As it turns out, the Oilers likely needed those four goals more than we think because a questionable double minor called against Kassian in the second period gave the Stars two goals and a running start to get back into the game. Luckily for Oilers fans everywhere, Connor opened the floodgates with his first career hat trick and led the Oilers to the victory they so desperately needed.

Wrap it up for safety.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Connor McDavid hadn’t scored in a while and he desperately needed one. How about a lucky bounce to end the streak and get some confidence back? Connor scored his sixth goal of the season trying to pass the puck and getting a friendly bounce into the open net. He followed up the non-shot goal with two more goals (seventh and eighth) to complete his first career NHL hat trick, end his scoring drought, and end his team’s losing streak all at the same time. Let the floodgates open, buddy.
What can you say about the start Lance ‘No Not Tyler’ Pitlick has been having? The guy already has six goals. All I can say is that I hope Pitlick can keep himself healthy and let the train keep rolling because I’m pulling for him.
The Hockey Gods must have wanted the Oilers to score goals because they gifted them another by having Oscar Klefbom’s shot-pass attempt deflect off a defender and into the net for Klefbom’s second goal of the year.
Speaking of Klefbom, I thought his pairing with Larsson had one of the best games they’ve had in a while. With Russell back, the Oilers are able to split the tougher minutes and it just seems to help everyone all around
Jesse Puljujarvi had a good night on Connor’s line as he put up two assists and didn’t look out of place playing with the captain. Here’s hoping this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Kris Russell returned to his spot alongside Andrej Sekera and he was back like he never left. I know the fancy stats people aren’t a fan of him, but my eyes showed me a solid game by #4. I respect the numbers, but it was nice to have Russell back.
Cam Talbot returned to the net and had a nice bounce back game after having a night off against the Kings. He made some huge saves, especially in the third period, and helped the Oilers snap their five-game losing streak. Talbot finished the game with 31 saves and a .939 save%
Shout out to Drake Caggiula for playing in his first NHL game and registering his first NHL assist. I can only imagine what kind of nerves and thoughts he had today, not to mention not playing since the pre-season, but he had a great game despite it all and for that we salute him.
They didn’t score, but the Oilers’ line of Maroon-Nuge-Eberle looked dangerous all night. Edmonton needs these three guys to start cashing in on some chances, but the opportunities were coming in bunches tonight.
I’m liking the way Matt Benning keeps improving as he keeps getting into more games. Who knows how long he’ll stick with the Oilers this season, but he’s definitely making the most of it.
Shout out to Kari Lehtonen for allowing four goals on 13 shots. That’s the kind of head start we needed. To be fair, two of those goals went in off Stars’ players.

THE FACE PALMERS

I will always hate the Stars. They know why. You know why.
I know the Oilers were happy to have Caggiula back but Mark Letestu kills a lot of penalties for the Oilers and I thought it was a weird choice.
How about the refs trolling Connor with that hooking penalty? ??
Zack Kassian took a hooking penalty and then got called for another for unsportsmanlike after he told the ref his hooking call was a dive. The Stars scored goals on both ends of the penalty which was the most Oilers thing ever.
Speaking of penalties, I’m sure the Stars played 60 minutes of hockey without doing absolutely anything that merited only three penalties when the Oilers got six. Yep. Totally believe it. *makes fart sound with mouth*
That said, it’s not like the Oilers did much with the power play chances they did get. To their credit, Draisaitl did hit the post which is the closest they’ve come to a PP goal in six games.
The Stars had six power play chances tonight and that is way too many. Bad refs or not, you can’t be giving the other team that many chances on the man advantage, and also keep your offensive players on the bench.
The Oilers didn’t have a good start to the third period at all. They were sitting back and waiting for Dallas to attack, and they were lucky that Talbot shut the door in those first few minutes of the third.
What’s the deal with the ‘banging on the glass’ guy anyway? I know he’s got a Twitter account (not plugging it) and he puts himself out there, but what’s his end game? Does he go home and tell his buddies about all the times he banged on the glass? Does he get tickets for banging? How long does it take him to make the signs? Whatever his schtick is supposed to be I don’t get it. Too bad he didn’t have much to bang about tonight.
Nail Yakupov was scratched for the fifth time in eight games tonight. I don’t think we’re going to get that second rounder from St. Louis.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
02:57	Edmonton	Connor McDavid (6)	1-0
11:36	Edmonton	Tyler Pitlick (6) ASST: Drake Caggiula (1), Matt Hendricks (1)	2-0

2ND PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
05:21	Edmonton	Oscar Klefbom (2) ASST: Anton Slepyshev (1), Leon Draisaitl (7)	3-0
06:17	Edmonton	Connor McDavid (7) ASST: Jesse Puljujarvi (3), Matthew Benning (3)	4-0
15:37	Dallas	PPG – Patrick Eaves (9)	4-1
16:47	Dallas	PPG – Jamie Benn (5) ASST: John Klingberg (8), Jason Spezza (3)	4-2

3RD PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
06:51	Edmonton	Connor McDavid (8) ASST: Jesse Puljujarvi (4), Anton Slepyshev (2)	5-2

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StephyKei

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@OilersNation IS THIS REAL???!! WE SCORED FIRST!!! ALL HAIL MCDAVID!!! :) 😚 😚 😚

12:22 AM · Nov 20, 2016

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