Many were impatiently awaiting the rare confrontation between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, but the Edmonton Oilers player completely eclipsed the Pittsburgh Penguins player with another four points on Thursday night.
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Thanks to McDavid’s ninth game of four or more points this season, the Alberta team easily defeated the Pens 7-2 at PPG Paints Arena. It was a very long night for Pittsburgh fans, who saw their favorites cut to pieces by the Oilers’ powerful attack.
McDavid and Leon Draisaitl scored the visitors’ first two power-play goals in the first period. The captain added two more points in the second half of the game, scoring a superb penalty shot goal.
In front of a sparse crowd with 3:33 to go in regular time, number 97 mocked Casey DeSmith. McDavid froze the Penguins goaltender in place. His 46th goal of the campaign was also his 109th point in 59 games.
Draisaitl, Tyson Barrie and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had two points for the winners, who sent Tristan Jarry to the showers following 40 minutes.
In the loss, Quebec defender Kristopher Letang scored both of his goals.
Dawson Mercer on fire
In Newark, Dawson Mercer scored two more goals, including the overtime winner in the New Jersey Devils’ 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
National League goaltenders no longer seem to have any secrets for the Newfoundlander, who has hit the mark in his last five games. It now makes him seven successes and nine points during this sequence.
Mercer and defenseman Dougie Hamilton put the Kings defense to sleep in overtime to beat Pheonix Copley. The visitors themselves looked tired, directing only 22 shots towards the opposing cage.
Sean Durzi made it 3-2 late in the third period, but Nico Hischier forced overtime by shaking the ropes with 39 seconds left. Tomas Tatar was the Devils’ other goalscorer.
Ovechkin held in check
In Washington, Alexander Ovechkin was making a comeback following sitting out four games, but the Russian was limited to a spectator role in the Anaheim Ducks’ 4-2 victory over the Capitals.
The captain returned to his country to be at the bedside of his father, who unfortunately died on February 15. Ovechkin attempted five shots on net once morest the “Ducks” and finished with a -2 differential.
The “Caps” took a 2-1 lead, but the visitors scored three unanswered times and never looked back. Isac Lundestrom, Troy Terry and Jakob Silfverberg all found a breach in the frail armor of Charlie Lindgren, who received only 20 pitches.
Still busy this season, John Gibson stood up to 41 shots.
The Capitals have been defeated in their last five outings.
