Another game, another four-point night for Connor McDavid.
“Quiet four-point night, loud four point night? I don’t know,” mused forward Zach Hyman. “It’s just normal for him.”
The Oilers’ superstar captain had a goal and three assists as the Edmonton Oilers clinched second place in the Pacific Division with a 5-1 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night.
It’s something head coach Jay Woodcroft is pleased about.
“We have the most passionate and best fanbase in the National Hockey League,” said Woodcroft. “Starting on home ice, we’re excited.”
With this latest offensive eruption, McDavid now has 44 goals on the year and 122 points, the latter figure being the highest point total in the league with the regular season winding down.
In the opening frame, the Oilers controlled the play and took the lead when Evan Bouchard rang in his 12th goal of the season.
Bouchard beat Casey DeSmith again early in the second, but the goal was called off after the Penguins successfully challenged for offside.
Jeff Carter put Pittsburgh on the board, but Evander Kane replied just 25 seconds later, taking a pass from Kailer Yamamoto and sniping his 22nd goal.
Hyman got on the board too, jamming in one on the power play to give Edmonton a little insurance — a 3-1 lead just four minutes into the third period.
On another power play, McDavid fired a sharp angle shot over DeSmith’s shoulder for a brilliant goal. Zack Kassian added an empty netter for his first goal since Jan. 15.
The Oilers (47-27-6) will host San Jose on Thursday. They will conclude the regular season Friday against Vancouver.