yahoo
In a high-scoring affair at Rogers Place, Connor McDavid delivered a spectacular five-point night, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a 6-5 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. McDavid's late goal with 1:28 remaining in regulation, with goaltender Devon Levi pulled for an extra attacker, forced overtime and ultimately the shootout, where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins provided the decisive tally.
McDavid's two goals and three assists give him an impressive 31 points through the first 10 games of the season. He joins Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, and Wayne Gretzky as the only NHL players to reach the 30-point mark in 10 games or fewer. Leon Draisaitl matched McDavid's output with two goals and three assists, while Nugent-Hopkins contributed a goal and an assist in his season debut.
The Oilers (8-1-1) have now won three consecutive games and seven of their last eight. Devon Levi made 22 saves in the victory. For the Hurricanes (8-2-2), Jackson Blake, Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, and Juuso Valimaki each found the back of the net. Brandon Bussi stopped 16 shots for Carolina, which has lost two of its last three games.
Key Analysis
McDavid's historic start to the season has placed him in rarefied air, alongside some of the greatest players in NHL history. His ability to single-handedly drive the Oilers' offense was on full display, as he factored in five of the team's six goals. The return of Nugent-Hopkins, who became the franchise leader in seasons played with the Oilers at 16, adds depth to an already potent lineup. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, the defending Stanley Cup champions, continue to show resilience but have hit a slight bump in their recent stretch. Jarvis's season debut after offseason shoulder surgery provides a boost, but Carolina will need to tighten up defensively to return to their championship form.
Next up, the Hurricanes travel to St. Louis to face the Blues on Saturday night, while the Oilers host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Originally reported by yahoo.