Halloween Night Heartbreak in the Battle of Alberta (Flames win 5-4)

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey]

It was a weird night, featuring many weird goals. The Oilers once again got behind early because of the poor play of Goalie Cam Talbot; and overcame a 4-2 deficit behind the phenomenal play of Taylor Hall and Leon Draisatl to tie the game 4-4.

The game ended in complete heartbreak when Michael Frolik scored this strange goal from basically behind the net to complete his hat-trick. That happened with nine seconds remaining in the game.

It's a shame, because it wasted an effort from Taylor Hall who scored a goal and had two assists. Connor McDavid's point streak ends at seven games after a goal that he had an assist on was waived off.

It could have been a memorable, special hockey night in Edmonton. Instead, just a frustrating heartbreak that had me turning off the game.

Leon Draisatl had two assists and a goal. He's done some serious damage in two games.

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey]

Last night's goal by Connor McDavid - his first at Rexall wearing the most beautiful sweaters in the NHL - was without a doubt my favorite of his career so far. He pretzel'd Peter Mrazek so badly, it had me giggling out loud. 

It was his fourth goal of the season, and he now has six points on the season. He has recorded a point in three straight, and four games out of five.

McDavid had another really good game last night. From the Edmonton Journal player grades:

#97 Connor McDavid, 7. Came to life in a brilliant second period where he showed his stick skills and elusiveness, both on one play on the game winner which he buried with a superlative deke after first gaining separation from the defender with a sophisticated roll. That was the third breathtaking goal McDavid has been involved in over the past 3 games, and is already beginning to become something of a habit with the wunderkind. Made a superb move and pass to Letestu for a chance that really should have been buried. Got to another puck in the offensive zone where he leaped to avoid the defender while simultaneously taking the most efficient line to the puck. Also drew the (rather lame) penalty that led to the first Oilers goal. Played just 15:36, including a little bit of time on the PK where he acquitted himself well. I’m tempted to give him an 8 but will soon run out of room once he hits his true level. He’s got many games in his future that will be greater than this one.

Like they said he was on the PK towards the end of the game, which I thought was kind of amazing.

Cam Talbot was awesome; it wasn't all about McDavid on this night. Talbot stopped 28 of 29 shots at Rexall last night. The lone score by the Red Wings was a Tomas Tatar marker with 6:49 to go in the game.

The Oilers have won now three games in a row. That hasn't happened many times since I've been running this blog.

Game 1, 2015-2016: The Connor McDavid Debut Night is Spoiled

[Event Summary]
[Cult of Hockey]

The good news is the Connor McDavid era is officially underway. The bad news is it ended with a loss, a -1 in the +/- column, only two shots, and being stonewalled on a great scoring opportunity by Blues goaltender Brian Elliot.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was credited with the opening goal of the night to put the Oilers up 1-0. It was really a fluke goal that was tipped in by a St. Louis Blues player. From there, it was all downhill. 

Vladimir Tarasenko tied the game at 1-1 with this:

I thought Cam Talbot played alright - he stopped 28 of 31 shots and played in a lot of traffic. Taylor Hall had a quiet night, logging just three shots and I can't remember any of them as significant chances.

Rookie Robby Fabbri who was noted as being close friends of McDavid scored the first goal of his career in his first NHL game.

Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada says "it's crazy to think the Oilers are a playoff team". For right now, I must beg to differ. They seemed to me like the same old Oilers without any backbone. I think McDavid's scoreless streak could go on a little while as well. He just seemed to be out-muscled out there.