Oilers’ star duo outshine dim Maple Leafs in Saturday rout

Article content

It’s a reward for Toronto hockey fans when Connor McDavid comes home once a year with buddy Leon Draisaitl, but always a risk for the Maple Leafs trying to contain them.

Article content

The full 97/29 show was on display Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena, with both superstars fashioning three-point nights as the Edmonton Oilers rolled to a 6-3 victory.

Article content

Article content

McDavid opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the game, then tied it 2-2 in the second period on a Leafs’ own-goal.

Draisaitl had three assists, including helpers on two dagger tips by Vasily Podkolzin early in the final period, as Toronto lost track of Oilers forwards all over the ice.

The loss halted the Leafs points streak at six consecutive games (4-0-2). It also kept them a few points out of a wild-card playoff position in their continuously crowded conference.

There could’ve been three or four goals apiece in a 1-1 first period, but Dennis Hildeby showed why he led the league before Saturday with an .883 save percentage in high danger chances. He allowed only the McDavid deke on a high-speed rush that was worth the price of admission, through four Leafs caught flat-footed in the neutral zone.

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

New Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry had not fared exceedingly well against Toronto in his Pittsburgh years and while able to deny John Tavares on a breakaway and a good look from Matthew Knies, it was rookie Easton Cowan who tied it when Jarry let out a fat rebound of Scott Laughton’s shot.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, whose mere presence was remarkable after a leg injury in Thursday’s game against San Jose, blasted the Leafs into a brief lead. But Jake McCabe didn’t clear the zone with a bloop pass and McDavid eventually controlled and centred it where McCabe’s partner, Troy Stecher, knocked it into his own net.

McDavid’s third point was another impressive burst over the Leafs line, feeding Draisaitl and eventually, open defenceman Darnell Nurse. After Zach Hyman made it a four-goal lead, Hildeby was pulled after 32 shots for Artur Akhtyamov’s muted NHL debut.

Steven Lorentz added one for Toronto in the final minute.

After four straight starts, Hildeby will likely cede the net to the returning Joseph Woll on Tuesday versus Chicago.

lhornby@postmedia.com 

X: @sunhornby

Article content