McDavid’s historic start, Canucks sinking fast — Pacific Division roundup

With Nick Suzuki’s injury and Owen Beck’s recall already making news in Montreal, the focus out West was a wild, record-setting night in the Pacific Division.

McDavid rewrites the record book as Oilers stay on top

The Edmonton Oilers keep driving the pace atop the Pacific with 17 points through 10 games (8-1-1). In a chaotic 6-5 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scored twice and added two assists, combining for 10 points, according to Sportsnet. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins buried the shootout winner.

McDavid’s five-point outburst pushed him to 30 points in just 10 games, making him, per Sportsnet and Daily Faceoff, the fourth player in NHL history to hit that mark so quickly, joining Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Sportsnet also notes he broke Gretzky’s record for most points through a season’s first 10 games, with his 30th point coming on a Draisaitl goal.

The only sour note: defenceman Mattias Ekholm left the game after a hard fall. Daily Faceoff reports he appeared to hit his head on the ice and will miss at least a week with an upper-body injury, with Sportsnet adding that Edmonton will be anxious about the status of one of its best blueliners.

Canucks spiral continues with ninth straight loss

At the other end of the standings, the Vancouver Canucks sit last in the Pacific with just 5 points in 12 games (2-9-1) after a 5-2 home loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Sportsnet reports that Lucas Raymond led the way for Detroit with two goals and an assist, while Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Viktor Arvidsson chipped in two assists each.

Beyond the score, it was the manner of the loss that stung. According to Sportsnet, Vancouver generated almost nothing toward the Detroit net and endured a 39:14 stretch without a shot on goal, prompting clear frustration from home fans. Forward Brock Boeser called the no-shot period "embarrassing" and said, per Sportsnet, that the team is far better than it is showing right now. Daily Faceoff adds that Red Wings goalie John Gibson left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Flames, Sharks trend up; mixed results elsewhere

In Calgary, the Flames (7th, 6 points in 9 games) finally have a mini-streak going. Sportsnet notes they’ve won back-to-back for the first time since February, edging the Minnesota Wild 2-1 behind 36 saves from Devin Cooley and two first-period power-play goals. Cooley told reporters it’s only a matter of time before the Flames take the next step and spoke about the team’s belief in its coaching staff, according to Sportsnet.

The San Jose Sharks, fourth in the division with 13 points in 11 games, enjoyed their first regulation win of the season, a 6-2 decision over the Ottawa Senators. Sportsnet points to balanced scoring and a 39-save outing from Yaroslav Askarov in the victory.

The Seattle Kraken (3rd, 15 points in 11 games) downed the Utah Mammoth 5-3, with Jordan Eberle and Brandon Montour posting two-point nights per Sportsnet. The Los Angeles Kings (6th, 6 points in 8 games) edged the New York Islanders 3-2 in overtime on a Brandt Clarke winner after two goals from Artemi Panarin.

It was a rough evening for the other Pacific clubs. The Vegas Golden Knights, still second with 16 points in 12 games, were thumped 6-2 by the St. Louis Blues, who rode a two-goal effort from Dylan Holloway and a four-point performance from Justin Barron, according to Sportsnet. The Anaheim Ducks (5th, 8 points in 10 games) fell 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils; La Presse and Sportsnet highlight early goals from Arseny Gritsyuk and Nico Hischier plus a goal and assist from Jack Hughes in the Devils’ second straight win.