Connor McDavid's First Career NHL Goal comes in Dallas

[Event Summary]

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, 2015

Yep, that one's a keeper! 👌 pic.twitter.com/7Hyc67SoFV

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 14, 2015

Oilers lose Thursday Nighter in St. Louis

[Event Summary]

[NHL.com] [Cult of Hockey]

It's becoming a common occurrence. Another night, another Taylor Hall goal, another 4-3 loss. The season is slipping away from the Oil. The Oilers also got the news that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be out 3 to 4 weeks with a separated shoulder.

We're just to that lull part of the year. I'll have the game on Saturday afternoon, but I like the Oilers players seem to know it's an exercise in futility. They'll go out, they'll lose, but they'll find a way to fall just short; and rinse wash repeat.

Right now I'm trying to just enjoy the development of Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle (Eberle added another goal last night too). That's what it's all about. Also I'm trying not to screw things up too badly on my hockey pool, but my fantasy lineup has been missing Scottie Hartnell now for two games this week (my own fault, I didn't update my lineup) of which he's scored a goal and he had 18 hits or something nuts in the Winter Classic.

Video of Taylor Hall's 13th Goal of the Year:


How about the fricking game the Bruins had last night against the Calgary Flames? A 9-0 win, Tyler Seguin nets his 16th goal of the season on a tip in, while adding two more assists.

My First Bruins Game

 [Box Score]

It was cool getting to see the World Champions live and in the flesh here in Columbus. Some things I took from this one:

-Milan Lucic is a dirty little player.

-I got to see Tyler Seguin, and although he didn't register any scoring it was pretty cool to know I saw him play.

-The Blue Jackets crowd was into it, and there were Bruins fans everywhere. Where do they all come from? 

-Saturday Night is definitely Hockey Night.

Love then they play this song on Hockey Night:

Here's Tim Thomas, the Stanley Cup MVP from last year. The guy registered several saves where he stood on his head. It really did remind me of when I read the book 'The Game' by Ken Dryden. It was like he stood back there in goal not even knowing how or when the game would come to him. But when it did it was time to twist, contort, and be as agile as a leopard.

Above is a view from up in the bleeds at Nationwide Arena. When the Oil come to town I'll make sure I keep score and have better seats.

This is a picture of the World Champions bench.

Zdeno Chara. The baddest man in hockey. And I got to see him score a goal. ZING.

My wife really likes this shot. This is during the National Anthem.

And this is the Blue Jackets anthem guy, Gene. I know this because the crowd yelled it. Anthems are a big deal in hockey. I love it!

Bill Simmons talks NHL

I listened to almost the entire first hour of The BS Report; where Puck Daddy's editor Greg Wyshynski stopped by to talk with Bill Simmons for the entire first hour.

Favorite part of the podcast is after the 30 minute mark when Bill Simmons is slobbering about Tyler Seguin and Wyshynski says he would still talk Hall over him. And they talk about it for 10 minutes or so.

The whole podcast is really enjoyable. I also like them talking about how shootouts suck and Wyshynski also calls the Oilers "the most exciting team in hockey" or something to that effect.

Tyler v. Taylor I goes to the Bruins 3-2

[Box Score]

The Oilers remained stuck on 48 points and in last place in the entire NHL. In the closing minutes, Taylor Hall ripped off a whistling slap shot from the bottom of the screen that flew just wide of the space in goal, and the Bruins hung on to the win. Tyler vs. Taylor round 1 goes to the Bruins.

It wasn't a particularily memorable night for either Taylor or Tyler.

Seguin: -1 in 9:32
Hall: -2 in 19:52

Gilbert Brule looked really good in his game back 1G, +1, 50% on faceoffs 4 hits.

Hall has 20 games left in his rookie season and 40 points tallied. You'd like to see him somehow get to 50 or 55, with 30 goals. But it's looking unlikely.