Matt Savoie is stepping up in a significant way for the Edmonton Oilers as he takes on a key role alongside Connor McDavid. The 22-year-old rookie is eager to contribute at a high level on one of the NHL’s top lines.
Savoie Joins McDavid on the Top Line
Playing with McDavid, often regarded as the best player in the world, brings excitement and responsibility for Savoie. “It’s just a lot of excitement from my side,” he stated about the opportunity. “A chance to play with the best player in the world and contribute at that level every night.”
Performance Highlights
Currently, McDavid is second in the NHL with 118 points, consisting of 40 goals and 78 assists. This puts him two points behind Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, who leads with 120 points. As Savoie joins McDavid and Zach Hyman on the Oilers’ No. 1 line, he looks to enhance his performance as well.
- Matt Savoie: 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 5 games.
- Connor McDavid: 118 points (40 goals, 78 assists).
- Nikita Kucherov: 120 points (40 goals, 80 assists).
Upcoming Challenges
The Oilers are set to compete against the Vegas Golden Knights, a crucial matchup in the Pacific Division. With a record of 35 wins, 28 losses, and 9 overtime losses, the Oilers currently hold a one-point lead over the Golden Knights, who have a record of 32 wins, 16 losses, and 14 overtime losses.
Savoie was promoted to this important role following an injury to Leon Draisaitl, who is sidelined for the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury sustained during a game against the Nashville Predators on March 15.
Building Chemistry
Finding chemistry with McDavid was quick for Savoie. Coach Kris Knoblauch moved him into the top line following Draisaitl’s injury, and Savoie made an immediate impact by scoring shortly after his promotion. He netted a goal just 2:32 into the second period of the Nashville game, demonstrating his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
In addition to his scoring, Savoie is also playing on the first power-play unit while maintaining his role in penalty-killing. He recently scored a short-handed goal in a victory against the Utah Mammoth.
McDavid’s Assessment
Connor McDavid has praised Savoie for his contributions, highlighting his energy and ability to keep plays alive. “He’s playing well. He’s doing a lot of really good things,” McDavid commented. “That was a huge goal on the kill there.” Savoie is proving to be a valuable asset for the Oilers as they navigate the season’s final stretch.
