NHL Scores: Connor McDavid hits 50 point mark in 29 games, Kirill Kaprizov nets hat trick, and more action
Anthony Scultore
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How good is Connor McDavid? This is obviously a rhetorical question because he answers it every time his sharpened blades hit the ice. Just 10 seconds into yesterday’s contest he scored a goal and a little after the midway mark of the first period he joined some elite company.
NHL Scores: McDavid hits 50 points in just 29 games
As the Oilers were applying pressure in the offensive zone, McDavid retrieved a puck near the boards and with his back mostly towards the play hit a streaking Tyson Barrie with a pass. The defenseman went top shelf and the assist gave McDavid his 50th point of the season in just his 29th game.
“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, it’s not easy to beat them three times, so credit to our group,” McDavid said. “I think it’s good for everyone to get involved offensively.”
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When it was all said and done, McDavid powered the Oilers (18-11) to a 6-2 win over the Senators (9-20-1). He finished the night with a goal and two helpers for 51 points on the year. In the last 25 years only Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg have scored 50 points in less time.
NHL Scores: Kirill Kaprizov nets hat trick steamrolling to Rookie of the Year
At 5-9, the 23 year-old Kirill Kaprizov isn’t very big but he sure is good. Last night he was the offense for the Wild (16-8-1) as they beat the Coyotes (12-11-4) by a 4-0 score. The rookie has 23 points on the season and leads the scoring race in that category over Tim Stutzle by 7 points.
Kaprizov is benefitting by playing with another diminutive forward in veteran Mats Zuccarello who assisted on two of his goals. Cam Talbot picked up the shutout on 25 saves.
“It’s fun for the team and for Kirill to score three goals,” Zuccarello said. “It’s a big day for him. But most importantly it’s a huge win for us at the end of the day.”
NHL.com
NHL Scores: Golden Knights edge Blues in OT, and rest of the action
The race in the West is heating up as the Wild, Blues and Avalanche keep picking up points. Vegas holds the top spot in the division but is only up two over Minnesota and St. Louis.
It took OT for the Golden Knights (17-6-1) to beat the Blues (14-8-5) 5-4 on a Reilly Smith tally. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first goal since coming back from shoulder surgery but in the end it was Alec Martinez who tied the game late and helped with the winner in OT.
The Knights needed the win as Phillip Grubauer notched his fourth shutout of the season on a 44 save effort. Mikko Rantanen notched his 13th goal and the Avalanche (15-8-2) beat the Kings (11-9-6) 2-0. Meanwhile the Sharks (10-11-3) pounded the Ducks (8-14-6) 6-0 with Devan Dubnyk stopping all 34 shots in the victory.