EDMONTON — You can play a hell of a hockey game against a team that has 100 points on March 20, under the gaze of a local-boy-turned-Prime-Minister, but when Connor McDavid leaves the game with an injury and does not return, everything else falls under the heading, “And in other news…”
McDavid left the game late in the second period after taking a Josh Morrissey stick to the ribs or wrist — we’re not sure which — and did not take another shift. The team listed it as a “lower-body injury,” and Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has absolutely nothing to report post-game.
McDavid was seen without any visible aids — no sling, no cast — after the game, smiling and speaking with a teammate’s son, and Knoblauch did manage a chuckle or two in his post-game media address, both signs that whatever nicked up McDavid is likely not catastrophic.
And in other news, playing without Leon Draisaitl (who missed the game with an undisclosed injury), then McDavid, and then goalie Stuart Skinner, who was removed late in the game by the concussion spotter, Edmonton rallied with a late goal before losing 4-3 in overtime on Kyle Connor’s 13th shot attempt of the night.
“It was the first time, I think, since I’ve been here that they’ve both been out in a game. So it was a little different, obviously, but it’s an opportunity for guys to step up and show our depth, missing the two best players in the world,” said Zach Hyman, who scored the tying goal on a rebound from the doorstep, his usual stomping grounds.
“I like how our group stuck with it. We didn’t go away after they went up 3-2,” Hyman said. “It was kind of an easy game to go away, but we battled back, got one, and got a point out of it.”
In a building teeming with security personnel, as Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney donned an Oilers jersey to watch the team he grew up cheering on, Edmonton started the game without Draisaitl, lost McDavid after two periods, and then with 4:57 to play the spotter ripped the starting goalie out of the twine.
Not ideal.
Though Knoblauch was mum on No. 97, he admitted the spotter made the call on Skinner.
“It wouldn’t have been me. And Skinner obviously didn’t want to come out,” he said. “It was the spotter.”
That also sounds more positive than negative where long-term injury is concerned, though you never know with concussions — if indeed Skinner has one.
This was a silky smooth game between two good teams that snapped the puck around with skill and grace. Ironically, the one player who may not love his performance was Hart trophy candidate Connor Hellebuyck, the consensus best goalie in the game. He was only average, which is notable because it can be said so rarely.
But Hellebuyck gutted it out for the win, just as the Oilers left relatively happy with their point, under the circumstances.
“I thought the effort was tremendous,” Knoblauch said. “We’re down a goal in the third period against the best defensive team (in the NHL) and we’re able to score to tie it up. We were able to kill a five-on-three and also another penalty late in the game. I thought there were great efforts by so many of our guys. There was no quit. We’re going to need more of that.”
The other Skinner, winger Jeff, had two goals on a night where he finally had some of the puck luck that has eluded him all season. Neither goal was “Plays of the Week” material, but who cares?
-
-
NHL on Sportsnet
Livestream Hockey Night in Canada, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the Oilers, Flames, Canucks, out-of-market matchups, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the NHL Draft.
He’s got 13 now. Not what was expected, but you have to give the guy credit for continuing to push in what has been a disappointing season with a new team.
“Two goals — the hardest thing to do in this league is score, and he’s got a knack for the net,” said Hyman. “He hasn’t had the easiest year. For him to stick with it — I don’t think people truly appreciate how hard that is to do when things aren’t going your way — to believe in yourself…
“For him to be playing the way he’s playing right now and contributing, it’s a huge credit to him. That’s why he’s played this many games (1,065) in the league. A great person, great player, and happy that that he had some success tonight.”
“I’ve had some better chances that haven’t gone in, some better looks,” Skinner said. “It’s always nice to contribute, especially in a tight game like that.”
