Oilers’ Connor McDavid wins matchup of top rookies
Oilers’ Connor McDavid wins matchup of top rookies
The first overall pick in last year’s NHL draft got to show the city what it’s missing Tuesday night.
McDavid scored twice, including in overtime, to lead the Edmonton Oilers to a 2-1 victory over the Sabres in an anticipated matchup against another top rookie, Jack Eichel.
McDavid and Eichel provided a buzz, even though the Oilers and Sabres are among the NHL’s bottom five teams.
Eichel was picked right after McDavid in last year’s draft, and both are considered generational talents.
McDavid scored 22 seconds into the game, and then got the winner by blowing past Buffalo’s defense seconds after Eichel spun around a defender and missed just wide with a twirling backhand attempt.
“I probably should have kept going on my forehand, just try to take it to the net,” Eichel said.
Matt Niskanen scored the winner during a third-period power play and host Washington won a matchup that could be a first-round playoff preview.
Patrice Bergeron scored the tiebreaker with 3:24 left to lift host Boston over skidding Calgary.
Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter each scored twice to give host Minnesota possession of the final West playoff spot.
Shea Weber had a goal and two assists in his return from a three-game absence to lead host Nashville, which has won a season-high five straight.
Carolina right winger Andrej Nestrasil will miss the rest of the season with a broken vertebra.