Chicago, Ill.
On Thursday night, Leon Draisaitl helped the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 with the game-winning goal with 37.6 seconds left and two assists overall.
The third hat trick of Connor McDavid’s career and second of this year came with three goals and an assist.
After a frantic, penalty-filled game, Draisaitl hoisted a shot from the right side of the net with Alex Stalock down to end it and end Chicago’s four-game winning run.
For Draisaitl,
it was the ideal way to mark his 27th birthday.
Edmonton Oilers Draisaitl, who had 55 goals last year, said, “Not the way you set it up, but a big two points.” His game-winning goal was his fourth of the year. “Let’s just leave it there,” I said.
At 10:16 of the third period, McDavid completed his hat trick by giving Edmonton a 5-4 lead. Patrick Kane scored on a rebound to tie it at 5. McDavid scored Edmonton’s third power-play goal of the evening by dancing in to beat defenseman Jake McCabe in the slot.
McDavid remarked, “It was a wild one, for sure.” Many ups and downs. It was enjoyable and full of feelings. Lots much room for improvement.
Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored for Edmonton, and Nugent-Hopkins added two assists. As Edmonton (5-3-0) won for the fourth time in five games, Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman both scored for the third game in a row.
The flamboyant, quick McDavid dominated in a frantic contest, bringing his season totals to eight goals and seven assists after eight games. In Edmonton’s victory over Vancouver to start the season, he also contributed three goals and an assist.
This was one of those nights, according to McDavid, “some nights you have your stuff.” I had a good night and accomplished some things. A lot of guys volunteered.
For the Blackhawks,
Max Domi earned a goal and two assists. Chicago also had goals from Jonathan Toews, Reese Johnson, and Andreas Athanasiou (4-3-0). After three straight victories, Chicago suffered its first home loss of the season, and Kane added two assists.
The rebuilding Chicago team’s ability to compete with and recover from the skilled Oilers impressed first-year head coach Luke Richardson. However, he believed that at times his players showed too much “respect” and “time” for Edmonton’s stars.”
We put in a lot of effort, and it was a physical, intense game,” Richardson said. We engaged in physical interaction with them while skating.