Connor McDavid had a hat trick and an assist, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice and added an assist and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Thursday night.
Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s top scorer last season, had four assists to help the Oilers rebound from a 5-3 loss to the Canucks a night earlier in the opener for both teams.
Mikko Koskinen made 38 saves for the Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during second-period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Nate Schmidt and Tyler Motte scored for Vancouver, and Thatcher Demko stopped 41 shots.
The Oilers scored twice with the man advantage after going 0 for 4 on Wednesday. Edmonton had the top power play in the NHL last season at 29.5%.
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Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Canucks: At Calgary on Saturday and Monday nights.
Oilers: Host Montreal on Saturday and Monday nights.
Edmonton Oilers' Dominik Kahun (21) is tripped by Vancouver Canucks' Zack MacEwen (71) during second-period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)