Jason Spezza's hat trick for the Dallas Stars couldn't spoil what was an absolutely special moment in hockey history, especially for Edmonton Oilers fans.
Connor McDavid recorded the first goal of his career, a deflection that you would see from a ten year veteran that tied the game at 2-2. The Oilers would surrender two goals late including an empty netter to fall to 0-3 on the season, failing to get at least a point before returning home to the Rexall Place barn on Thursday evening for their home opener against the St. Louis Blues.
Anders Nilsson was the other story, stopping 48 shots and peppered all night long in a back-up role. Tyler Seguin logged ten shots by himself.
Taylor Hall was listed as questionable to play with an illness but gutted it out as a non-factor. He had two shots on the night.
The story of the game from an Edmonton standpoint was the play of the Connor McDavid, Nail Yakupov, and Benoit Pouliot line. I think having McDavid on that line will increase the effectiveness of Yakupov. He had a breakaway opportunity in the third period and looked involved all night long; Kari Lehtonen made the save on Yakupov's attempt and things swung quickly in favor of Dallas not long after that.
Yakupov had three shots and an assist on the night, while Pouliot added the same. Each player had two penalty minutes.
Sure, it was another loss. But it was a special moment to be watching when McDavid netted that first one.
The smile says it all. Connor McDavid with the re-direct and his first NHL goal. Hands of gold.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) October 14, 2015#NHLFirsts: 🚨 - Connor McDavid #NHLFaceOff
— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2015Yep, that one's a keeper! 👌 pic.twitter.com/7Hyc67SoFV
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 14, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment