Oilers Postgame: Connor Freakin’ McDavid

Final Score: 3-2 Pittsburgh (SO)

What. A. Game. Seriously, can anyone recall a more exciting game this season? I sure can’t. I really can’t even find a reason to be mad at tonight’s game, even thoughwe lost. Why? Because the Oilers played a damn good game.

Alright, the 1st period was ugly, we can concede that. The Oilers got outshot 14-8 in the period and had a 2 goal deficit to show as a result. Against this Penguins team, which is elite, the scene did look good at all. I am sure more than a few in Edmonton, even with the better season so far, thought that the game was all but over.

And yet, it wasn’t. This season has been different and this team has been much more mature in how they approach being down in games. Instead of wilting, withering, and ultimately losing a chance at even 1 point, the Oilers fought back viciously, and took complete control over the game for the final 40. They took such control that they would outshoot Pittsburgh 22-14 in the final 2 frames.

But they didn’t just shoot the puck a lot either. The combined efforts of almost every player on the ice, skating their butts off on the forecheck, and killing it on the backcheck, resulted in the Oilers being able to score one, followed by another, to get at least a point on the evening. If not for some rather miraculous saves by Marc-Andre Fleury, the Oilers would have surely had 2.

That is an impressive accomplishment against one of the NHL’s very best teams.

Kris Russell, Andrej Sekera, the Nugent-Hopkins line and Kassian stood out as superbly effective on the evening, helping to lead the comeback. David Desharnais scored his first as an Oiler to help spark that comeback as well. His work in the blue paint was a much needed sight.

But really, tonight’s main story was all Captain Connor. See below.

Oilers Player of the Game

Is there any mystery at all? Connor McDavid. On a night when he was playing the other top dog in the NHL, Connor put his foot on the gas pedal and emerged as the superstar of the night. It was a remarkable showcase.

26 minutes of ice time, 9(!!!!) shots on net, the game tying goal in the 3rd period, and a goal in the shootout highlight just what an amazing night Mr. McDavid had. His highlight reel for this evening’s game alone is what another player may hope for in an entire season.

That was one helluva way to let Sidney Crosby know that there is a new King of the land.

Notables

• Isn’t it fitting that the game would open with McDavid blowing by Schultz like he was standing still. Mind you, McDavid does that against the very best, but still, the sight was worth a chuckle.
• The Oilers had a number of chances early, some surprisingly dangerous, but failed to capitalize.
• The second Penguins goal was just ugly. Too much space was allowed by Larsson to Malkin to get a hard shot on net. This was followed with the puck just squeaking by Talbot, and McDavid accidentally putting the puck in his own net. That, my friends, is pretty terrible luck.
• Desharnais’s first goal as an Edmonton Oiler was due to him getting into the blue paint and forcing his way into the puck. That is something that the Oilers, at many times throughout the season, have not done enough of.
• Kris Russell also showed fantastic effort and drive in his drive of the puck into the Penguins zone to set up the Desharnais goal.
• Russell was absolutely robbed by Fleury in the 2nd period off a wicked wrister from the slot. He was electric on the night.
• This highlighted a 2nd period that was largely in favour of the Oilers. Credit where it is due, after a poor first 20, they fought back hard. Shots were 11-2 in the period a little over halfway in.
• The Nugent-Hopkins line continues to be effective, and especially so on the cycle. They will need a bit more scoring before we can declare them truly effective, but the signs are looking good for a break out.
• Draisaitl would ring a shot off the post to kick off the 3rd. You could feel the tying goal coming with all of the pressure brought on by the Oilers.
• That Talbot save on a Kessel breakaway in the 3rd? Unbelievably clutch.
• In my opinion, this was the most exciting Oilers game of the season. Unbelievable action. Fleury made an unbelievable save on Nugent-Hopkins halfway through. An absolute jaw dropper.

Oilers Highlights

THE NEW GUY! #PITvsEDM pic.twitter.com/NWprMhUNko

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 11, 2017

Leon strikes iron. #PITvsEDM pic.twitter.com/xKF7PlQYFl

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 11, 2017

Another look at the equalizer! #PITvsEDM pic.twitter.com/F3AIH4vkxi

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 11, 2017

Up Next: Mr. Price and the Canadiens

The Oilers will take on the Canadiens this Sunday at Rogers Place. We will need the Saturday to recover from this wild ride.