It’s nut-cutting time in the NHL this time of year, but even without Leon Draisaitl, the Connor McDavid-powered Edmonton Oilers are intent on sprinting toward the postseason.
A crunch game against the division leaders, the Anaheim Ducks, was slated as a true test of whether the Oilers have it in them to put on a show when it’s time to make a statement. Edmonton did just that, notching up a third-straight win for just the second time this season. McDavid’s opener against Anaheim also pulled him just that little bit closer to two of the game’s greatest.
Connor McDavid Inching Closer to Mario Lemieux’s Tally
At 7:36 of the second period, after a less-than-eventful first period, McDavid took matters into his own hands and drew first blood, putting the Oilers on top. He followed that goal up with two much-needed assists as the Oilers held off the Ducks to pull within three points of the division leaders in a 4-2 win.
Those three points also propelled McDavid to within five points of Mario Lemieux’s tally of 1,211 for the second-most points before the age of 30. McDavid, who will turn 30 next January, is only behind ‘The Great One’ Wayne Gretzky’s tally of 2,072 in that club.
While the Ducks have a game in hand over the Oilers (Anaheim next faces the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, followed by San Jose on Wednesday and St. Louis on Friday), Edmonton is very much breathing down their necks with one eye on playoff seeding.
As things stand, given the fact that the Ducks are still top of the Pacific division, they will go on to face the Utah Mammoth, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot. The Oilers, on the other hand, will take on the Vegas Golden Knights if the status quo holds until the end of the season.
The Oilers’ next three games look a little something like this: vs. Seattle (Tuesday), vs. Chicago (Thursday), vs. Vegas (Saturday). All in all, Edmonton has eight games left on the regular-season schedule, as opposed to Anaheim’s nine.
Speaking to Gene Principe after the win over the Ducks, McDavid addressed how Edmonton is dealing with Draisaitl’s absence.
“You’re never going to replace a guy like that,” the Oilers captain said. “He’s a special guy, but as you said, we need it this time of year. We need to find ways to get wins in a weird kind of division here. We’ve got to punch our ticket to the dance. Everybody’s stepping up, as you said.”
The hope is that Leon Draisaitl makes some meaningful strides in his recovery before the regular season ends, so he can join up with the rest of his squad in time to prep for the NHL playoffs. The Oilers have been keeping their heads above water since Draisaitl’s injury, but replacing the German superstar’s 35 goals and 115 points will be easier said than done in the postseason.
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