Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists to guide the Edmonton Oilers to a crushing 8-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
McDavid, who had been relatively quiet during the first three duels of the series, took charge from the second period, contributing to four straight goals to help the Alberta troop stay alive.
The Oilers scored their first victory in this final, but they still trailed 3-1. The fifth clash will take place Tuesday evening in Florida.
Before McDavid realized his feats, the Oilers’ supporting players set the tone in the first period. Mattias Janmark, Adam Henrique and Dylan Holloway, with the first of his two goals, hit the target.
Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan McLeod also found the back of the net for Kris Knoblauch’s men. Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl both had a hand in two of their team’s goals.
Stuart Skinner made 32 saves in the Oilers victory, but the one he saved on Carter Verhaeghe on a two-on-one run in the first period may have turned the tide. With more precision, Verhaeghe would have allowed the Panthers to tie the game 2-2 after trailing 2-0.
Vladimir Tarasenko was the only scorer for the Florida team, which suffered its most bitter defeat of the series.
Sergei Bobrovsky started the game for the Panthers, but he was chased after giving up five times in 16 shots. In relief, Anthony Stolarz allowed three goals on 20 shots.
The Oilers are trying to lift a first Stanley Cup since 1990 while the Panthers are aiming for a first conquest.