Streaking Oilers pounce on Hurricanes, coast to victory

Field Level Media|published: Thu 7th December, 24:38 2023

Dec 6, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman (18) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Rogers Place. credits: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Hyman posted his third career hat trick while Connor McDavid and Mattias Janmark both collected three assists as the host Edmonton Oilers rode a four-goal first period to a 6-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Warren Foegele netted one goal and one assist, and Ryan McLeod and Mattias Ekholm added goals for the Oilers, who have won five straight games. Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 38 saves.

McDavid has collected 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in a seven-game point streak. Evan Bouchard netted two assists and has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in a nine-game run.

Jordan Staal replied for the Hurricanes, who have lost two straight games and three out of four. Starting goalie Pyotr Kochetkov was pulled after surrendering three goals on six shots. Antti Raanta stopped 25 shots in relief.

The Oilers have outscored their opponents 27-8 in their five-game streak.

Edmonton opened with the second-fastest two goals to begin a game in franchise history, according to Sportsnet Stats. McLeod opened the scoring 28 seconds into the clash when Foegele stole the puck on the forecheck and fed a pass to the front of the net that McLeod converted for his second of the season.

Ekholm doubled the lead 13 seconds later when he pinched from the point and redirected a McDavid pass for his fourth of the season.

Hyman added to the lead at 5:46 by eluding a check in the corner, zipping to the net and tucking home a shot. That spelled the end of the game Kochetkov.

Hyman continued the onslaught with his second of the game at the 14:03 mark when his one-timer from the left circle finished a three-way passing play.

After Foegele made it a 5-0 game when he converted a breakaway at 2:49 of the second period, his fourth goal of the season, Staal put the Hurricanes on the board by converting a two-on-one rush for his third goal of the season at 7:05 of the third period.

However, Hyman completed his hat trick a couple of minutes later by finishing a highlight-reel-worthy pass from McDavid for his 15th of the season.

—Field Level Media