It was overtime for both the Oilers and Islanders but that didn’t stop Connor McDavid from scoring 38 seconds pass the overtime. The Edmonton Oiler’s two big guns, McDavid and Draisaitl worked together to win over the New York Islanders 2-1.
Unstoppable Move by McDavid
This isn’t the first time Connor McDavid surprised the team’s opponent with one of his quick passes. Like many other times, McDavid enlisted the help of Leon Draisaitl. When McDavid was able to intercept an off-target pass by John Tavares, he carried the puck into the New York end and dropped the puck to Draisaitl. Draisaitl intercepted and flipped a behind-the-back pass to McDavid, giving him his sixth goal of the year.
The Big Guns of Edmonton Oilers
It comes as no surprise that the McDavid and Draisaitl combination have given the Edmonton Oilers another victory to celebrate and what a match it was with the New York Islanders. The first goal was scored effortlessly by Draisaitl at only 1:59 into the second period at an advantage when no Islander was able to prepare ahead to distract him from making the goal. It was a good start that powered the Oilers. However, the second period also proved to be in favor of the Islanders as they were able to score later on at 2:44, tying with the Oilers 1-1. When no goal was made in the third period, the match went into overtime and it was then that McDavid wasted no time to end the game in their favor.
Both McDavid and Draisaitl have made moves much like this previously in their other matches and fans are looking forward to more of their partnership. While the winning goal was the sixth for the McDavid, it was also the fourth for Draisaitl for the season.
Teamwork in motion for the Oilers
The rest of the Oilers pulled their own weight to help the team win. After the Islanders made a goal tying the Oilers 1-1, both teams tightened up their defenses afterward. Cam Talbot’s brilliance as the Oilers goalie also helped to bring victory to the team. Talbot was able to make 36 saves that night. But even his brilliance gave way to the cunning work of both McDavid and Draisaitl. According to him: “Our two big guns took it down the ice and got us a win.”
Even the performance of Darnell Nurse shouldn’t be undermined. He contributed a lot on the blueline. He didn’t make a single mistake that night, helping to contribute to the Oilers. He was hitting, skating, and moving as is the top player that he is.
Talks about change in line combos
It’s hard to deny that the combination of Draisaitl and McDavid is a good and strong one. But there are a lot of clamoring and noise going around that a change in line combos is long overdue. The Oilers coach, Todd McLellan, doesn’t see it this way though, so fans and critics alike might be looking forward to more McDavid and Draisaitl combos.
This game against the New York Islanders was an unexpected victory for the Edmonton Oilers as they were outchanged 19 to 12, but the latter proved that chances don’t always make the game. Here’s to hoping more victories for the Edmonton Oilers for the rest of the season.