McDavid and Draisaitl Take Over as Oilers Dominate Flames in Battle of Alberta
If you’re looking for a perfect snapshot of why the Edmonton Oilers are rolling right now, this game against the Calgary Flames pretty much said it all. On a night where the spotlight was firmly fixed on the Battle of Alberta, it was Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who completely tilted the ice and reminded everyone why they’re considered the most dangerous duo in hockey.
The Oilers cruised to a 5-1 win at Rogers Place, and the story started with McDavid putting on a masterclass as a playmaker. Five assists were recorded by the captain, extending his point streak to 11 games. It was one of those performances where it felt like the puck was glued to his stick, and every shift carried the sense that something was about to happen. During this hot stretch, 31 points have been piled up by McDavid, and it’s been done in a way that makes the game look almost effortless.
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While McDavid was setting the table, Draisaitl was finishing everything in sight. A hat trick was delivered, with all three goals coming on the power play. It marked his ninth regular-season hat trick and pushed him past Glenn Anderson into third place on the Oilers’ all-time goal list. That kind of history doesn’t happen quietly, and it was made even louder by how clinical Edmonton’s power play looked all night.
The scoring opened with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins jumping on a rebound in the first period, before Calgary briefly tied things up on a deflected shot from MacKenzie Weegar. From there, though, control was firmly seized by Edmonton. Draisaitl restored the lead late in the first, struck again early in the second, and eventually completed his hat trick in the third, all with the man advantage. Zach Hyman also joined the party with a goal and two assists, benefitting from the chaos McDavid and Draisaitl created every time they touched the puck.
In goal, Connor Ingram quietly did his job, turning aside 18 shots and earning another win since being called up. The Flames had their moments, but too much space was given to Edmonton’s stars, especially through the neutral zone. That proved costly, as penalties piled up and the Oilers’ power play made Calgary pay.
By the final horn, Edmonton had improved to 8 wins in its last 11 games and moved into a tie atop the Pacific Division. As the teams head into the holiday break, one thing feels clear: if McDavid and Draisaitl keep playing like this, the Oilers are going to be a nightmare matchup for anyone. And with another Battle of Alberta coming soon, this rivalry is far from cooling off.
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