The Edmonton Oilers continue to dominate the Ottawa Senators in the 2020-2021 NHL regular season.
Leon Draisaitl posted his fourth career regular-season hat trick as the Oilers downed the Senators 4-2 Wednesday afternoon.
The win marked the Oilers’ eighth victory over the Senators in the eight games between the two teams during the abbreviated NHL campaign.
Those eight games have seen Draisaitl dominate offensively, as he has two hat tricks and 21 points.
“Draisaitl shoots it as well anybody, especially quick off the pass,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said after the game.
“They are not normal goals, they are what top players do.”
The Oilers had the better of the play in the first period, outshooting Ottawa 17-7. Draisaitl bagged his 20th goal of the season, ripping home a pass from Oilers captain Connor McDavid on the power play.
Josh Norris pulled the Sens even 25 seconds into the second, tapping in a feed from Thomas Chabot.
Draisaitl struck again with a spectacular shot late in the frame. He came down the right wing and positioned himself with his feet below the icing line. McDavid passed it to him, and Draisaitl sizzled a one-timer to the far corner past Ottawa goaltender Marcus Hogberg.
Senators forward Connor Brown picked the top corner on Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen 1:02 into the third to make it 2-2.
With 6:06 to go, McDavid stormed toward the Ottawa net and flicked his 23rd past Hogberg.
Koskinen preserved the win with a save off Ottawa rookie Tim Stutzle with 29 seconds left. He finished with 28 saves to improve to 10-11.
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Despite the final result, the game was no walk in the park for the Oilers, as Tippett readily admitted after the final buzzer sounded.
“Ottawa works,” he said. “If you’re not willing to work, you’re going to be behind. They drag you into the game.”
Draisaitl completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal just before time expired.
McDavid had a goal and three assists.
The Oilers (24-14-2) will play Senators for the final time this season on Thursday.
–With files from 630 CHED’s David Boles
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