Devon Levi sparkles, Connor McDavid scores in NHL game 800 in Oilers 4-1 win over L.A.: Cult of Hockey Player Grades

The Edmonton Oilers rode a strong goaltending performance by Devon Levi and an offensive clinic from Connor McDavid in NHL game number 800 for him, in a 4-1 win in L.A. and a Pacific Coast sweep on this road trip.

Devon Levi made a career high 39 saves for the Win, as the Oilers were soundly outshot. Although L.A. is a volume shooting team.

The Oilers still have not lost in regulation.

Here’s the tale of the tape…

DEVON LEVI. 9. The Edmonton Oilers best player. Levi held the L.A. Kings at bay through the first, including one nabbed through a forest of legs and sticks off Gustafsson’s stick from the point. A couple stops on Byfield in tight in the second frame. A big save on Haula as the second period buzzer neared, one of 18 in the frame. 11 more in the third. He was named the game’s Second Star…and a case could easily be made that he should have been the First Star.

CONNOR MCDAVID. 8. First period backcheck. Two high-level feeds on the 1-0 goal including a high-to-low pass to Draisaitl below the circle. Flashed down the right-hand side, almost broke Anderson’s ankles on the deke, and fired a shot goal, which created a fat rebound for Podkolzin’s 2-0 goal. “Running catch” of the Emberson hail mary then a fore-hand, back-hand deke for the 3-0. Effectively backchecked on the Draisaitl turnover but then failed to clear the zone on the 3-1. Fed Bouchard for a third period PP shot. Skated the puck safely out of the zone then fed Podkolzin for the EN goal. The game’s First Star.

VASILY PODKOLZIN. 7. Vasily-on-the-spot to cash in on McDavid’s rebound for the 2-0. Hard back-check early in the third. Bullet of a shot mid-way through the third. Buried the 4-1 from the red line into an empty net. Big hit hate, one of six. The game’s Third Star.

LEON DRAISAITL. 6. Ripped home the 1-0 with an elite one-timer from below the faceoff circle off a terrific feed from McDavid. Low percentage pass attempt in the O-zone led to a jail break in the other direction, then he also failed to clear the zone…leading to the 3-1. Docked a full mark. Coast-to-coast rush & shot mid way through the third. A steal and quick pass in the D-zone on the 4-1. 54% on the dot. Three shots. +2.

EVAN BOUCHARD. 6. Secondary assists on the 1-0 and the 2-0. Block and calm clear on the second period PK. Shot on a third period PP. A couple turnovers in his own end in e third, something we have not seen much of this season. Played 26:24. +2.

MATTIAS EKHOLM. 6. The Oilers steadiest D-man. Tremendous penalty kill in the first, with a pair of clears on his first turn, a stick and another clear on his second shift. +2.

JASON DICKINSON. 5. Calmly cleared the D-zone after a Kings press early in the second. Shot from a hard play by Hallander. But this line faced the Kings’ best a lot and got caved. Dickinson had a 17% CF 5v5. But he was not on the ice for a 5v5 HDSC.

FILIP HALLANDER. 4. Whistled for a first period hook. Zone entry with a couple Kings hanging off him resulting in a good chance for Dickinson. 18% CF 5v5.

KASPERI KAPANEN. 4. Good wall play leads to a PK clear in the first. Open net on a third period PP but his shot was blocked.

RYAN SHEA. 5. Chased a lot. Swept a dangerous puck away from the crease after a Bouchard turnover in the third. HDSC’s 0-3.

CONNOR MURPHY. 6. Played a bunch (24:28). Mowed down Byfield midway through the first. Drew a third period Power Play.

OWEN MICHAELS. 4. Early, enthusiastic forecheck and hit. PK clear in the first. Holding penalty late in the second. Solid clear in the third. Hard backcheck late in the third. Rought night in then circle, at a mere 9%. This line had horrid fancy stats, Michaels 13% CF 5v5.

ALEX FORMENTON. 3. Struggled. Did not quite bury the would-be 4-1 on a short-handed 2-on-1 with Joseph. Drew a third period PP.

MATHIEU JOSEPH. 5. First period shot. A shot and a set-up to Formenton, both on a second period PK. Hard drive to the net early in the third. Good clear under pressure in the third. 3 shots. By far the best guy on this line.

SHAKIR MUKHAMADULLIN. 5. Played just 10:59. HDSC’s 5v5 1-2.

TY EMBERSON. 6. Excellent defensive stuff on Panarin in the first. Heady aerial pass up the middle to McDavid for the 3-0. HDSC’s 1-2.

JOSH SAMANSKI. 6. The third line had a solid night defensively, especially through a second period when L.A. easily outshot the Oilers. 50% on draws. Three shot blocks.

IKE HOWARD. 5. Puck bobble in the D-zone in the first led to an extended shift by the Kings. Created a dangerous chance in the second. Hustled on the 4-check.

TRENT FREDERIC. 5. Clever wrap-around attempt in the first. Hard third period hit on the forecheck.

Utah is up next, at home on Thursday.

This article is not AI generated.

Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025.

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