So now that it’s all Connor, all the time, as McDavid helps Jordan Eberle to his first hat trick in his 399th NHL game and Benoit Pouliot to his biggest point night over his 476-game National Hockey League career, what of Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl — the two guys who had been doing the heavy lifting for the Edmonton Oilers?
Well, off the third period of Thursday’s win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Hall and Draisaitl will be going through a trial separation. Oilers head coach Todd McLellan will keep Hall on left-wing with centre Mark Letestu and winger Zack Kassian to start Saturday’s game with the Winnipeg Jets — more of a defensive setup for Hall with maybe more cycle work with the puck.