Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

Connor McDavid, Streaking Oilers Face Maple Leafs Next

Connor McDavid’s extraordinary NHL journey continues to elevate, but his upcoming challenge is set for Saturday night when the Edmonton Oilers head to Toronto to battle the Maple Leafs.

McDavid reached the 1,001-point milestone in his career after besting the Nashville Predators 3-2 in an overtime thriller on Thursday. The Oilers captain became the 99th player in NHL history and the fourth quickest to hit 1,000 points, accomplishing this feat in just 659 games. The 27-year-old talent boasts 341 goals and 660 assists, making him the fourth youngest player to achieve that record.

“These achievements serve as a wonderful opportunity to reflect and remember,” McDavid expressed following the match. “It’s been a solid decade, and I hope for another great ten years. Some of these moments have struck me more emotionally than I anticipated.”

The Oilers are on a streak of success, having triumphed in three straight contests and five out of their last seven. They are now embarking on a three-game road trip in the Eastern Conference, starting in Toronto.

McDavid’s Epochal Journey

McDavid attained the landmark with a goal in the second period against Nashville, later assisting Darnell Nurse for the overtime winner. Leon Draisaitl, McDavid’s long-term teammate who facilitated his milestone goal and contributed to 445 of his points, believes McDavid is on a path toward reaching 2,000 points.

“If not him, then who else?” Draisaitl questioned. “That’s the only query I have. I’ve never bet against Connor McDavid. I’ve learned this over the past decade. It wouldn’t astonish me.”

Maple Leafs Confronting Significant Injuries

While the Oilers are thriving, the Maple Leafs are facing challenges. Auston Matthews, who topped the league with 69 goals last season, is anticipated to miss his sixth straight game due to an upper-body issue.

In spite of Matthews’ absence, the Maple Leafs have discovered ways to secure victories, clinching four of their last five games. They enter Saturday’s match following a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, with John Tavares netting the game-winner, concluding a spectacular comeback.

“They just kept persevering,” remarked Toronto coach Craig Berube, encapsulating his team’s tenacity. “We talked about remaining steadfast. Their lead grew, but we found a way. It was a solid character win and comeback.”

Berube confirmed that Matthews is improving, stating, “No setbacks. We have two games in a long stretch here, so we are just allowing him to recover.” After Saturday’s contest, the Maple Leafs will be off until Wednesday when they welcome the Vegas Golden Knights.

Key Storylines to Watch

• McDavid’s Pursuit of Greatness: With 1,001 career points, McDavid shows no signs of slowing down. Can he continue to lead the Oilers’ charge as they take on a tough Maple Leafs squad?
• Toronto’s Resilience Without Matthews: The Maple Leafs have proven they can win without their star center, but can they maintain that level against an in-form Edmonton team?
• Goaltending Duel: The Oilers’ Stuart Skinner and the Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll are both expected to start. Skinner has been solid during Edmonton’s win streak, while Woll has stepped up admirably in Matthews’ absence.

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Players to Watch

• Connor McDavid (EDM): Following a two-point outing, McDavid aims to maintain the Oilers’ positive momentum.
• Leon Draisaitl (EDM): With 11 goals and 17 assists this season, Draisaitl is still among the most formidable playmakers in the league.
• John Tavares (TOR): The Maple Leafs’ skipper has been pivotal in Matthews’ absence, scoring a game-winner in overtime against Washington.
• Sam Reinhart (TOR): Reinhart is enjoying an impressive run, netting eight goals in his last eight games and boasting a nine-game point streak overall.

Noteworthy Milestones and Injuries

Oliver Ekman-Larsson hit the 1,000 career games milestone on Wednesday for the Maple Leafs.
Jani Hakanpaa made his season debut for Toronto after missing the first 17 games due to a lower-body injury.

Both teams will strive to leverage their skills as they face off in what promises to be a high-octane contest with playoff-like fervor.