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McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins Provide All The Firepower On Military Appreciation Night

Photo: USA Today

By Kyle Miller

ANAHEIM,Calif– The Oilers continued their winning ways on the road easily dispatching the Ducks 6-2. Connor McDavid, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins combined for five points on the night. McDavid netted a hat trick in the game.

The Oilers jumped out to an early lead in this one. Nugent-Hopkins would open the scoring at 1:28 in the First Period. A tough Oiler forecheck led by James Neal forced Korbinian Holzer to lose the puck behind the net, and left Nugent-Hopkins in alone on John Gibson. A quick wrister beat Gibson’s glove-side after he failed to seal the side of the net.

The lead, however, would be short-lived. An aggressive Ducks forecheck led by Jakob Silfverberg set up an equalizer scored by Rickard Rakell. Rakell had plenty of room to roof a backhander into a wide-open net past a distracted Mikko Koskinen tying the game at one. Later in the frame, the Oilers regained their lead. This time Connor McDavid found a perfect opportunity to slide the puck under the right pad of the Ducks net-minder to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead. The Oilers would carry that 2-1 lead into the second.

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Nugent-Hopkins added to the Edmonton lead at the 7:45 mark of the second. The man-advantage gave the Oilers forward all the time and space necessary to pick the top corner of the net. Familiar foe Zach Kassian would extend the Edmonton lead to 4-1 just three minutes later. The Oilers grinder deked past Gibson and slid the backhander into a wide-open net. Edmonton ended a dominant period up by three.

In the third period, Max Jones cut the deficit to 2 on a wrister that sneaked between the arm and body of Koskinen and found the corner of the net. Unfortunately for the Ducks, that would be the remainder of their goals on Sunday. But the night was not yet over for Connor McDavid.

Near the mid-way point of the third McDavid found an opening in the Ducks defense, fought off a check by Silfverberg and dangled around Gibson en route to lifting the puck top-shelf and into the net. McDavid capped off his third of the night later in the frame. The Oilers superstar connected on a one-timer that Gibson had no chance on. McDavid’s 11th of the season solidified the Oilers 6-2 win.

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Analysis

The Ducks continue to struggle. After surrendering three unanswered goals in their previous contest against the Minnesota Wild, it seemed that the team would benefit from a 5-day break. However, tonight, it seemed like the Oilers had fresher legs in this one.

Edmonton and Anaheim traded chances early in the first and remained close throughout the frame. Both forechecks were very aggressive, and as a result, there were a number of opportunities for both teams. The Oilers surrendered ten giveaways in the frame, but the Ducks were only able to capitalize once. Edmonton frustrated the Anaheim offense by blocking eight shots in the period.

In the second, Edmonton controlled the majority of the play, but the main takeaway of the period would be the futility of the Anaheim powerplay. After failing to score on their first opportunity of the night, the Ducks went 0 of 4 in the second. In total, the team registered just four shots during 10 minutes of time on the man-advantage. Conversely, the Oilers powerplay had no trouble finding the back of the net. The visitors tallied two goals on four powerplay chances Sunday night.

McDavid stole the show during the third. The Oilers center displayed his world-class speed, puck handling, and shooting skills ending any hope of a Ducks comeback in this one.

News And Notes

Hampus Lindholm missed the game with a recurring lower-body injury. He was a late scratch for the game and has been placed on injured reserve.

Josh Mahura and Simon Benoit were both called up before the game. 

McDavid notched his fifth career hat trick Sunday.

Max Jones scored his first goal of the season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks continue their homestand Tuesday night against Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings @ 7:00 pm.

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November 11th, 2019

 

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