The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid were close to completing a crazy comeback, but the Blue Jackets won 6-5 in Columbus on Saturday afternoon.
• Also read: Canucks acquire Vitali Kravtsov
• Also read: Patrick Kane and Timo Meier left out
McDavid had two goals and two assists, just like he had two days ago against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This season he has more games with four points and more (10) than games in which he has been cleared from the scorer list (6).
The Jackets were still a bit scared, but Jack Roslovic’s two goals in the third period made the difference. The center player also ended the duel with four points, while Kirill Marchenko scored two goals.
Columbus took a 4-0 lead, but in the second third the guests were only able to equalize with an 8-2. McDavid particularly shook the ropes with a great individual effort in the penalty shootout. The captain captured the puck in the defensive area before going the full width of the ice to get rid of Johnny Gaudreau. Joonas Korpisalo prevailed with his free throw from close range.
McDavid now has 48 goals and 113 points in 60 games. Keep in mind that the Ontarian’s personal best, which he set last season, is 123 points.
Joonas Korpisalo had a tough job dealing with the Oilers’ onslaught, and he did reasonably well with 42 saves. Not so with Edmonton goalies Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner, who combined allowed six goals from 26 shots.
The Capitals put on a show
In Washington, the Capitals celebrated their first win in seven games and used everyone’s input to get there with a spectacular 6-3 win over the New York Rangers.
Alexander Ovechkin had two assists, but another Russian scored the goals. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored twice, including a Peter Forsberg-style feint. Like him, TJ Oshie went there with a double.
Rangers could barely hide their desire to take on Patrick Kane after getting rid of Vitali Kravtsov and Jake Leschyshyn earlier in the day, and fielded a formation of 11 forwards and seven defenders. Three forwards still scored, Barclay Goodrow, Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko.
Goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin was replaced after two periods by Jaroslav Halak, who allowed five goals in 22 shots.