By Canadian Press

Connor McDavid scores twice, Edmonton Oilers outmuscle defending Stanley Cup champs

Mar 12, 2022 | 11:12 PM

EDMONTON — Connor McDavid had a pair of goals and Mikko Koskinen made 30 saves as the Edmonton Oilers moved back into a playoff position with a 4-1 victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto also scored and added an assist apiece for the Oilers (32-23-4), who have won two in a row and moved into third place in the Pacific Division. Tyson Barrie chipped in with two helpers.

Zach Bogosian responded for the Lightning (37-15-6) who have lost three in a row for the first time this season. Brian Elliott stopped 45-of-48 shots.

Edmonton managed to get a rare first goal of the game midway through the first period when McDavid stripped a puck and danced around Victor Hedman at full speed before tucking it past Elliott. The Oilers came into the contest with a perfect 17-0-0 record when scoring first.

The Oilers came close to extending their league seven minutes into the second, but Warren Foegele rang a shot off the crossbar, Edmonton’s second crossbar of the game at that point.

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The home side made it 2-0 with 44 seconds left in the middle frame as McDavid picked the top corner for his 32nd of the season, also taking the league lead for points with 83.

The Lightning finally got on the board midway through the third as Bogosian was left alone in the slot and sent his third of the season over Koskinen’s shoulder.

After killing off a lengthy five-on-three Tampa power play, the Oilers regained the lead three minutes later as Draisaitl had a long breakaway before depositing his 39th of the campaign through Elliott’s legs.

Yamamoto added an empty netter to put the game away for Edmonton.

Edmonton outshot the Lightning 49-32.

The Lightning are right back at it on Sunday night in Vancouver against the Canucks. The Oilers play the third game of a five-game homestand on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.

NOTES: It was the first time the Lightning have played at Rogers Place in Edmonton since they won the Stanley Cup in the “bubble” in 2020… Oilers forward Josh Archibald made his season debut after he was diagnosed with myocarditis at training camp following a bout with COVID-19. Archibald remains unvaccinated, meaning he cannot currently travel with the team… Still out with injuries for Edmonton were Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (upper body), Kris Russell (undisclosed), Jesse Puljujarvi (lower body) and Kyle Turris (upper body). The Lightning were healthy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2022.

The Canadian Press