The Edmonton Oilers are 4-1-0

[Box Score]
[Oilers Nation]

The Oilers get so little coverage, I couldn't even find photos of this game worthy of going on the blog. But alas, we've reached a high point in my fandom of the Edmonton Oilers since I started following them in 2010. It was 2011 that they began the season 8-4 and I thought the likes of Taylor Hall, Teddy Peckham and others were onto something. They finished that season 32-40-10. It blended in with all the other Oilers seasons.

But the Oilers have a new feel, a mostly new roster, and a new arena they're defending with an attitude.

Tonight, Connor McDavid refused to go scoreless for a third straight game which he has never done in his career. He set up on a Milan Lucic goal (Lucic's second as an Oiler) to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead and scored an empty netter which leads off this post in the game's final minute to seal the 3-1 win.

The Blues are a solid club to beat, entering the game at 3-0-1.

The Blues only goal was of course, a Nail Yakupov goal to give St. Louis a 1-0 lead. Pitlick scored quickly after that to tie it, and how nice; the Oilers seem to answer scores this season.

At the moment, Edmonton only trails Vancouver in the division standings. They take on the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday in the outdoor Heritage Classic.

Oilers beat Vancouver in Overtime, at Vancouver

[Event Summary]

Connor McDavid set up Nail Yakupov early to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead, it was McDavid's second assist of his career, and he now has five points in four games. 

Anders Nielssen played really well in his second game of the season, and the Oilers sent this game to overtime.

In overtime, the Oilers took the game for their second road win over a division rival in a row on back to back nights, to improve to 2-4 on the season, heading home for a long homestand. 

There would be no need for a shootout.

The game winner goes to Lauri Korpikoski. The assist from Andrej Sekera.

Re-watched the Oilers game from last night, and came up with a hot taek: McJesus is a goddamn monster on the ice.

— Michael Clifford (@SlimCliffy) October 19, 2015

The pressure he puts on the ice is unreal. The puck he stripped when chasing behind the net isn't supposed to happen in the NHL. He's 18.

— Michael Clifford (@SlimCliffy) October 19, 2015

Connor McDavid Dominates first Hockey Night in Canada; Oilers win hist first Battle of Alberta 5-2

[Event Summary]

[Edmonton Journal] [Cult of Hockey]

Just as some are talking about blowing up the Edmonton Oilers. Maybe the pressure is finally off now. 

Connor McDavid was named the first star on enemy ice in his first Battle of Alberta; how very special. He scored two goals and recorded an assist. He was a really good save away from what would have been his second goal of the night and a hat trick on the night. He has four points now in five games. His first goal was absolutely beautiful. He finished. 

His second goal of the night put it away:



That came after he fed Nail Yakupov for the first assist of his career, a linemate whom we think that he'll turn into a star.

Taylor Hall was the second star, and he played all night like a man possessed. He recorded what went down as the game-winning goal for his 2nd tally of the season. He also recorded two assists, drawing multiple penalties, and skated all over the ice with command, leadership and power.

Scoring was kicked off by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the first period. All four first overall picks scored tonight. The OILERS are on Sportscenter right now as I type this. That's the first time in years.

This might go down as McDavid's finest game all season long. It was my first great Connor McDavid memory.

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