Connor McDavid returned in a big way last night for the Oilers and scored a gem of a highlight reel goal in the process.
McDavid picked up the puck near center ice and absolutely torched the Columbus Blue Jackets defense before finding himself all alone with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. With a couple of quick moves in front of the net, McDavid had a wide open part of the net slide the puck in to.
“I think the last time I went on a 1-on-2, it didn’t end very well for me,” McDavid said after the game. “It was a little bit of a better result for me this time. It was a nice goal, I guess. It was three months of waiting around and a lot of grumpy days and all that. It definitely felt really good to get that one.”Despite missing a lengthy period of time with a broken collarbone, McDavid appeared as though he had not missed a beat. He was easily the best player on the ice last night, and finished with a goal and two assists.
There’s plenty of respect coming from his opponents on the ice, they know the hype is real.
“He’s definitely as advertised,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said of McDavid. “He’s a heck of a player and is going to be a good one for a long time.”
His teammates are on board as well, and appreciate having him back.
“To have a player like that back in your lineup is huge,” Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba said. “And as you could see, he hasn’t lost a step. He has so much speed and vision and playmaking ability through the middle, we need that. It’s nice to have him back.”
And as for the fans, well we can’t wait to see what he does next.