DENVER — Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers need to be taking part in good hockey – their greatest model of hockey – going into the postseason.
This undoubtedly qualifies: The Oilers are on an eight-game profitable streak and McDavid on a 15-game factors streak.
Evan Bouchard scored a power-play objective 1:50 into additional time, Stuart Skinner stopped 28 photographs and the Oilers hold rolling alongside, beating the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Tuesday night time.
“If you can come in with a good feeling and play good hockey usually you get off to a good start” within the postseason, mentioned Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who had a first-period objective. “So that’s the focus right now.”
Bouchard lined a shot previous Alexandar Georgiev to set off a celebration. Moments earlier, Colorado defenseman Bowen Byram drew a penalty for hooking McDavid because the Oilers heart powered towards the objective.
McDavid assisted on the OT winner to increase his factors streak and change into the primary participant in NHL historical past to have three totally different factors streaks of 15 or extra video games in the identical season. He’s solely had seven video games the place he didn’t register some extent.
PHOTOS: Evan Bouchard scores OT winner, Oilers beat Avalanche 2-1
The Oilers stay within the chase for the Pacific Division title with one sport remaining. They additionally prolonged their factors streak to 14 straight video games.
“We deserved the win in the end,” Ekholm mentioned. “I thought we were the better team and that was obviously great to see versus a really good hockey club.”
A contest that includes two excessive scoring groups become a defensive showdown. It was no shock, although, this sport went into an additional interval. Colorado gained the earlier two conferences this season in additional time.
Ben Meyers scored for the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche, who noticed their five-game profitable streak snapped.
Georgiev made 38 saves, together with one on a breakaway by McDavid within the second interval. Colorado stays within the driver’s seat for the Central Division crown with two video games to go. With some extent Tuesday, the Avalanche additionally wrapped up house ice within the first spherical courtesy of Minnesota’s loss to Winnipeg earlier within the night time.
“Good hockey game. Big point,” coach Jared Bednar mentioned. “Good effort from our team again.”
This may very well be a attainable matchup down the road within the postseason. The Oilers and Avalanche met final season within the Western Conference Finals, with Colorado sweeping Edmonton. But it is a totally different Oilers squad. For starters, they added Ekholm on the commerce deadline in a take care of Nashville.
“It’s obviously nice to put some doubt in their minds,” Ekholm mentioned. “There’s a new story to be written.”
The Avalanche weathered a four-minute penalty within the second interval when Devon Toews’ stick caught Zach Hyman within the mouth and drew blood.
The sport featured 5 100-point scorers, marking the primary time that’s occurred in 37 years, in keeping with NHL Stats.
It was Meyers kicking off the scoring early within the first interval when he was credited for a objective that went in off a skate. Just 36 seconds later, Ekholm tied the sport off a go from Ryan McLeod, who was activated from the injured record earlier than the sport.
“It really felt like a playoff atmosphere,” Skinner mentioned. “I thought we did a great job just the way we handled it.”
QUITE A SEASON
McDavid is making an attempt to change into the primary outright chief in objectives, assists and factors since Wayne Gretzky in 1986-87. Only eight instances has the identical participant completed because the league’s outright chief in objectives, assists and scoring – Gretzky (5 instances), Phil Esposito, Gordie Howe and Howie Morenz.
Count Avalanche ahead Mikko Rantanen as impressed by McDavid’s offensive exploits.
“What he’s able to do, never seen anything like it,” Rantanen mentioned. “I feel like he’s getting better, too. I don’t know if that’s possible, but I feel like he is.”
AROUND THE RINK
Oilers ahead Ryan Nugent-Hopkins performed in his 800th NHL sport. He grew to become the fifth participant in Oilers historical past to achieve the mark for the franchise. … Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar missed his fifth straight sport with a decrease physique harm.
UP NEXT
Oilers: Finish the common season Thursday by internet hosting San Jose.
Avalanche: Host Winnipeg on Thursday earlier than closing out the common season Friday at Nashville.
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