Connor McDavid is really, really good at hockey. And even though the team he was playing against started their back-up back-up goalie, and pulled him to put in the back-up back-up back-up goalie, a six-point night in the modern era of the NHL is a truly remarkable feat.
McDavid had a point on all six of the Oilers’ goals, with three goals and three assists. Former Capital Andre Burakovsky incredibly scored the Avalanche’s only two goals of the night.
The hat trick
Goal 1
McDavid’s first goal came 12:14 in the first period and on the powerplay. It gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead. McDavid took a loose puck and skated it into the right circle. He fired a quick wrist shot to the far side of the net.
Goal 2
McDavid scored again on the powerplay two minutes and 37 seconds later. McDavid skated the puck into the zone, deked and gained the slot, and beat Avs goaltender Adam Werner.
Goal 3
McDavid would score his hat trick goal early in the second period to give the Oilers a 5-1 lead. It was McDavid’s third powerplay goal of the night.
Leon Draisitl assisted on all but one of the Oilers’ goals for five points on the night. Draisitl (15 goals) and McDavid (14 goals) now sit second and third in the NHL in goals.
Leon Draisaitl has 41 points — 41! — in 21 games (with a period left tonight).
Connor McDavid has 37 points in 21 games.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 15, 2019
Seriously, 41 points in 21 games is Gretzky and Lemieux-like numbers from 30 or 35 years ago,
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 15, 2019
The Avalanche’s starter, Philipp Grubauer, is out of the lineup with an injury but should return soon. Backup Pavel Francouz was injured less than a minute into the Avs’ last game, against the Winnipeg Jets. Adam Werner, the third-string goalie, got a 40-save shutout in his first NHL game when he came on to relieve Francouz. His second game wasn’t quite the same fairytale story, giving up six goals and being replaced by Antoine Bibeau during the second period.
Not a good night for Colorado to be on their third and fourth-string goalies.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 15, 2019
Here’s Andre Burakovsky’s two goals on the night.
Goal 1
Goal 2
Headline photo: Sportsnet
