Crosby & McDavid AND Murray & Talbot?
If last night was any indication on the direction this season is headed, it's going to be a thrilling one. There were some key matchups that did not disappoint. It starts with the Crosby and McDavid meeting as the featured game of the night.
This was one of those great, low-scoring games. It was entertaining from the beginning despite both of the team's poor defending. The Oilers displayed the more dismal part of the defense though, as it looked like a Sunday league at times. The play overall in the game was quite sloppy, with passes not connecting, players constantly swirling around to see where the play was going every split second, and goaltenders having to keep up with the pace of play.
I could probably write an entire research paper on how great the goalies were in this game. Talbot made a great save early on in this one as he stretched to barely get a near-post save on Kessel. That seemed to close the gates tightly as both tenders put on a bit of a show the rest of the night.
The edge would have to go to Murray though. He reminded us why he's won two cups in just three years of existence in the NHL. From the slot saves to the spectacular desperation ones, he really showed his current and future potential.
There was one save sequence that was probably the most entertaining part of the game itself — and this in a game that dazzled all throughout. It started when Murray made a banger of a paddle save that will surely be up for goal of the year. I'm not getting ahead of myself here either. The league always gets a hard-on for these types of stops, and who could argue, they're simply electric to watch. Murray got a one or two more saves in the next couple of seconds, with help from diving teammates as well. It was truly a special point in the matchup.
There was still no score up until this time, then Ian Cole takes a great shot from the point to finally break the deadlock. Although it remained a game with few goals, it wouldn't be too long before one of the men highlighted on this night, put one in the net. McDavid scored his first goal since his opening night hat-trick. It went top-right bins in a typically flashy goal from the next great player in the NHL.
With the score now leveled again at 1-1, you could taste extra hockey coming here. Once in OT, it was just as fast-paced, if not more than the regulation play. One of the interesting parts about 3 on 3 OT now, is that you can get compelling isolated matchups with individual players. One of which happened to be Crosby barring down on McDavid. Crosby didn't score, but got the chance to. If he did, it definitely would have been a big talking point on an alternate result of the way it ended.
A little while after that Crosby vs McDavid play, Kessel breaks in for a pass and scores a nice little goal to win the game for the Penguins.
After the way this game finished and the way these squads have begun their seasons, you can say that the Pens are looking more like the cup contenders. It was more likely that on the first day of the season, you would have thought that the Oilers were going to be the ones that were looking in a better position to make the playoffs. Of course it's still early though, and anything can change in the standings.
Other comments from the night
The meeting between the Senators and Kings was a great battle to watch from a standings standpoint. Usually, you wouldn't go out of your way to watch it, but because the Kings are one of the best in the West, and the Senators are one of the best in the East, it was a good game to catch.
I picked up on it in OT, after a crazy Pens/Oils game that also featured an overtime. So this seemed crazy too from picking up on it around the time I did.
The beginning faceoff needs to be mentioned as it was one of those things you only get in hockey. Karlsson came out late to start OT and Doughty was joking with one of his teammates about covering Karlsson. The video is priceless and proves why 3 on 3 OT and hockey in general should be loved by more people.
After going into a shootout, Kempe continues to have a great season as he scores for LA with a wonder goal — completely hypnotizing the goaltender and faking him out.
Lastly, I'm not sure how Vegas is continuing this run. With a 4-2 win over the Blackhawks, it's crazy how anyone could have expected them to have seven wins and one loss in their first eight games in existence.
The Blackhawks scored first, but the Golden Knights struck right back. You can't even say now, that they're playing crappy opposition. The Hawks are a damn good team and Vegas has played a couple of other difficult teams lately as well.
They sort of remind me of the Oilers coming up the last few years [relax]; they may not have a Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, or certainly not a McDavid — certainly not anyone like that. What i'm referring to is the young talent that they possess and no one really sees them as a contender — that is, until they start playing like one.
I wish I could've seen more of the VGK/Hawks game, and others, but feel free to leave some comments on games that interest you (either from the night before, or upcoming).
Source photo credit: Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / Getty | thescore.com
