Oilers’ Devon Levi drops Connor McDavid truth bomb amid scorching start appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Not many expected the Edmonton Oilers to concede six goals to the Vancouver Canucks in their home opener on Sept. 29 — but they’ve been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League since, winning five straight games and outscoring their opponents 24-12.
Connor McDavid has been at the center of it, putting together a ridiculous stretch of 17 points in just six games to take the early lead in the Art Ross Trophy race.
He was the catalyst again Tuesday night, recording a goal and three assists in his 800th NHL game, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.
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“I mean, just the way the guy shows up every single day, it’s rinse repeat,” Oilers netminder Devon Levi said of the captain, per NHL.com’s Dan Greenspan.
McDavid, Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl have carried the load for Edmonton, amassing 42 points across 18 combined player appearances.
McDavid (17 points) and Bouchard (14) are first and second in league scoring, respectively, while Draisaitl isn’t far behind with 11.
Head coach Mike Babcock has played his two best forwards on the same line, and it’s paid dividends in the early going.
“I just think that seems to be the best way for our group now,” the bench boss said of playing McDavid and Draisaitl together, per Greenspan. “Right now, there’s not a lot of moves (available to us), and so we just try to stay as patient as we can and get them out there when we need them.”
The Oilers led 3-0 after the first period and protected that lead behind Levi, who was excellent, making 39 saves on 40 shots for his fourth consecutive win.
“Obviously, we started on time, got going. I didn’t think at any time we were fantastic tonight, but McDavid and the big boys were great,” Babcock added.
With that, Edmonton is up to 5-0-1 and second place in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers are also just two points back of the Carolina Hurricanes in the early Presidents’ Trophy race, with two games in hand.
It’s still early, but it’s been a hugely encouraging start in Alberta. The Oilers are getting timely saves and explosive offensive production, with their superstars leading the charge.
They’ll look to remain undefeated in regulation against the visiting Utah Mammoth at Rogers Place on Thursday night.