Pitted against the only player in the world who's held in higher regard, Connor McDavid stole the show on Tuesday, but Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins took the two points.
McDavid did all he could to ensure his Edmonton Oilers captured at least one point, netting a perfect shot over the glove of Matt Murray late in the third period to force overtime, seemingly sending a message to his teammates that it's time to climb out of this early-season hole.
Alas, it wasn't enough. Pittsburgh's firepower was the deciding factor, as Evgeni Malkin connected with Phil Kessel to seal the deal in the extra frame, giving Crosby's squad a third consecutive victory over McDavid & Co., despite the 20-year-old being statistically superior each time in the head-to-head matchup.
The outcome of Tuesday night's premier showdown displayed how important it is to surround high-end talent, particularly a generational talent, with a capable supporting cast.
After years of icing lineups with a noticeable drop-off in talent between their top guys and role players, Pittsburgh decided to give Crosby help by acquiring the likes of Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, Justin Schultz, and Carl Hagelin via trade, each of whom turned out to be integral pieces to back-to-back titles. Of course, drafting Malkin second overall in 2004 played a huge role in laying the foundation of the Penguins' decade-plus of success, but championship rosters are deep, and the Oilers need to amend their issues if they want to cash in on this window while it's open widest.
That time is now, in the final year of McDavid's entry-level deal before his record-setting $12.5 million annual cap hit kicks in. Edmonton's campaign has started disastrously, which nobody could have predicted, especially considering the excitement following No. 97's hat-trick in the first game of the season.
But that feels like eons ago for the Oilers, who now sit at 2-5-1 and are averaging a measly 1.88 goals per game - which, not surprisingly, ranks last in the league.
McDavid has obviously done his part, notching nine points in eight games. Leon Draisaitl has only been available for four contests, so he gets a pass, but the rest of the Oilers' lineup reads as a long list of unproductive forwards.
Patrick Maroon, who rides shotgun to McDavid's brilliance, is the only other Edmonton forward with more than three points. Newcomer Ryan Strome, brought in to replace Jordan Eberle on the wing, has one goal and one assist, while the former Oiler has a respectable six helpers in nine games with the Islanders.
Then there's Taylor Hall, the other first round draft pick Edmonton dealt away, who has nine points in eight games while playing top minutes in New Jersey. Some of that production sure would have been helpful early in this season.
Hindsight is obviously 20/20, and there's nothing general manager Peter Chiarelli can do to get those players back, but he can use his club's arduous start as a wake-up call to make sure the current season doesn't go to waste.
Edmonton doesn't need to rush into any decisions, however. In all likelihood, things will start to turn around soon based on the amount of offense they're creating without finishing chances. But as evidenced Tuesday night against the reigning champs, even the best players need support to win.
The Oilers currently have over $8 million in cap space until the end of the season, and Chiarelli would be wise to take advantage of it and find some support while he still can.
(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)
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