Oilers’ Connor McDavid Makes NHL History in Win vs. Utah Hockey Club

The Edmonton Oilers are on a roll, scoring a 7-1 victory on Tuesday night over the visiting Utah Hockey Club at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta to extend their winning streak to three games. The Oilers returned home after back-to-back road wins over the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers and proceeded to demolish the youngest franchise in the NHL, with Connor McDavid notching three points on the strength of a goal and two assists. With another brilliant performance from the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, McDavid became just the first player in the history of the NHL to record at least three points versus 32 different franchises. “Connor McDavid has three points and counting against Utah tonight, which became the 32nd different franchise he has posted three points against – the most in NHL history,” the NHL’s communications department shared in a post on X.

McDavid secured his first point of the night with an assist to a Zach Hyman goal 15 minutes into the Utah game. Just seconds before the end of the opening period, McDavid used his incredible speed to flummox Utah’s defense and score a goal to put Edmonton ahead by three points. His last point of the night came when he helped set up another Hyman goal in the second period.

The Oilers are now just two points behind the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. With a 40-24-4 record, McDavid and company will look to sustain their torrid form this Thursday when they host the top team in the West, the Winnipeg Jets, at Rogers Place.

Player grades: Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid triumphant, Edmonton Oilers win a laugher over Utah

The Edmonton Oilers rocked Utah H.C. 7-1, running the Utes out of Edmonton’s downtown arena.

Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both scored outstanding goals in the first, and worked together to set up Zach Hyman on another beauty.

The Grade A shots were 24 to 14 for the Oilers, with the subset of most dangerous 5-alarm shots 14-4 for Edmonton.

Connor McDavid, 9. One goal, two assists, great game, one sublime moment for a full bonus grade. Major contributions to 10 Grade A shots. Excellent spin move, then put it over to RNH to kick off the Virtuous Cycle of Hyman’s goal-scoring sequel. Then executed the world’s fast goal, four seconds  between Ekholm’s stretch pass, Bouchard’s relay and McDavid bursting in to score. His backhand chip on that goal was sublime. Contributions/mistakes on Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +5/-3; Special Teams +5/-0.

Zach Hyman, 8. Two goals, one assist, great game. He had Edmonton’s second breakaway in the first but failed to score. Made no mistake on RNH’s power play pass a few shifts later. He went to the net again and saw an Ekholm shot bounce in off of him. Next he won a battle and set up Ekholm for Edmonton’s sixth. GAS: ES +5/-2; ST +1/-0.

Jeff Skinner, 7. Fans got what they wanted with Skinner on the top line and he delivered. Good backcheck to thwart a Utah rush early in the first, then sent in Hyman on a breakaway. Nice relay pass to McD to kick off a rush and Grade A shot in the second. He won the the puck to kick of the Virtuous Cycle on Edmonton’s fifth goal. GAS: ES +5/-1; ST +0/-0.

Leon Draisaitl, 6. He got his legs tangled early in the second and was in some pain. Shrugged it off and kept playing. A few shifts later he executed his Robert “The Chief” Parrish turnaround snap shot on the power play, taking the puck on his backhand as he posted up, turning on net and firing away. Lots of nasty shots, no goals or points to end his 18 game point scoring streak. GAS: ES +2/-1; ST +4/-0