For much of last season, it looked like Connor McDavid might end up with the Buffalo Sabres. The first overall pick in last year's NHL draft got to show the city what it's missing Tuesday night. McDavid scored twice, including in overtime, to lead the Edmonton Oilers to a 2-1 victory over the Sabres in an anticipated matchup against another top rookie, Jack Eichel. McDavid and Eichel provided a buzz for this one even though the Oilers and Sabres are both among the NHL's bottom five teams. Eichel was picked right after McDavid in last year's draft, and both players are considered potentially generational talents. As has been the case with the humble rookie, McDavid downplayed the matchup with Eichel before and after the game. "To be honest, that's not a big deal," McDavid said. "I keep saying this game was a big deal for me because it was in front of friends and family. It just feels good to get the win in front of them." McDavid grew up in suburban Toronto and played junior hockey 90 miles away in Erie, Pennsylvania. McDavid scored 22 seconds into the game, and then got the winner by blowing past Buffalo's defense seconds after Eichel spun around a defender and missed just wide with a twirling backhand attempt. It's not as if Eichel didn't have his chances. He tied for the team-lead with five shots on goal. Cam Talbot made 31 saves for the Oilers, and Edmonton began a four-game trip with its second straight win. Cal O'Reilly scored his first goal of the season for the Sabres and Robin Lehner made 39 saves. Capitals 3, Penguins 2: Defenseman Matt Niskanen delivered a power-play goal with 6:22 remaining as the Washington Capitals rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. In a hard-fought contest, Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin drew a high sticking penalty with 7:15 left, and the Capitals immediately took advantage, putting pressure on Penguins rookie goalie Matthew Murray. Niskanen boomed one shot from the blue line that Murray fought off, and when Niskanen received the puck once again, he did not miss, scoring his fourth goal of the season. Hurricanes 3, Devils 1: Left-winger Joakim Nordstrom scored with 1:29 remaining in regulation to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Bruins 2, Flames 1: Cashing in on a late too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty on Calgary, the Boston Bruins got a power-play goal from center Patrice Bergeron and edged the Flames 2-1. Blues 4, Senators 3 (SO): Patrik Berglund scored in the 11th round of a shootout to give the St. Louis Blues a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. In other games it was: Wild 6, Avalanche 3; Predators 5, Stars 3; Panthers 3, Jets 2; Islanders 3, Canucks 2. — Agencies
