The Edmonton Oilers scored four goals in the third period to drub the Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Thursday night.
“We’re scoring a little bit more, the penalty kill’s improved, the power-play found a way to score one finally tonight; so a lot of areas of the game are going the right way right now and the effort’s being put into it,” head coach Todd McLellan said.
LISTEN: Todd McLellan on 630 CHED
The Oilers had a large edge in play during the first period, outshooting the Senators 18-9 and getting a goal from Drake Caggiula. He tapped in a loose puck after Pontus Aberg’s shot went through Craig Anderson.
Early in the second period, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sent a pass in front to Connor McDavid, who popped it inside the post for his 35th of the season.
Matt Duchene scored a power play goal for Ottawa 4:43 into the third, but the Oilers came back right off the ensuing centre-ice face-off.
McDavid broke down the right side and set up Nugent-Hopkins. The goals were just eight seconds apart.
Ty Rattie and Caggiula connected in rapid succession, giving the Oilers three goals in 1:43. Filip Chlapik added a late one for Ottawa, his first NHL goal. McDavid scored again with 3:20 left.
McDavid finished with two goals and two assists, giving him 94 points. He trails Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov by one for the NHL scoring lead.
“I don’t want to talk too much about it,” McDavid said after the game. “It was a good night for our team and our line found a way to get a few.”
LISTEN: Connor McDavid on 630 CHED
Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and two assists.
The Oilers, 33-36-5, will host Los Angeles on Saturday.
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