Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Post Five Points Each as the Oilers Beat the Hurricanes in a Shootout, and Devon Levi Keeps the Net

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scored twice and added three assists on Thursday night as the Edmonton Oilers rallied past the Carolina Hurricanes 6-5 in a shootout at Rogers Place. McDavid's second goal, with goaltender Devon Levi pulled for an extra attacker, tied the game with 1:28 left in regulation, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the only goal of the shootout in his season debut. Edmonton improved to 8-1-1. Carolina's Seth Jarvis scored in his first game back from offseason shoulder surgery.

Two 10-point performances in one game is a reminder of how concentrated Edmonton's fantasy value is. The more useful takeaways for managers, though, are the goaltending picture and what both returning forwards mean for their teams' lineups.

How the game unfolded

Carolina controlled long stretches. The Hurricanes led 4-2 late in the second period and went back in front 5-4 when defenseman Juuso Valimaki scored with under three minutes to play. Edmonton thought it had tied the game moments later, but a Zach Hyman goal was waved off for a high stick with 1:36 remaining. Eight seconds later, McDavid found the equalizer to force overtime and complete his five-point night.

Levi made 22 saves, and Brandon Bussi made 16 for Carolina. The Hurricanes outshot Edmonton, which made the comeback all the more impressive and the result all the more frustrating for Carolina.

The fantasy box score

Here are the notable lines from Thursday, from the NHL.com and Associated Press recaps.

Devon Levi owns the Oilers' crease

The goaltending story in Edmonton has changed quickly. Frederik Andersen was hurt over the summer, wrecking the planned rotation, and he is not expected to make his Oilers debut until December at the earliest. Tristan Jarry struggled, and Levi has taken the opening and earned the coaching staff's trust as the primary starter.

For fantasy managers, Levi is a must-roster goaltender. Twenty-two saves on 27 shots is not a pretty save percentage, but goalies on an 8-1-1 team with this offense rack up wins, and wins are the hardest goaltending category to find on waivers. Expect some volatility in ratio stats, since Edmonton's games tend to be high-event. In leagues that weigh wins heavily, Levi is a weekly starter until Andersen returns, and possibly beyond if he keeps winning.

Nugent-Hopkins is back in the mix

Nugent-Hopkins returned from a lower-body injury after the Oilers activated him and moved Jason Dickinson to injured reserve. A goal, an assist and the shootout winner is an ideal debut. His fantasy value depends heavily on his power-play role, and on a night when McDavid and Draisaitl combined for 10 points, the players sharing ice with them were well positioned to produce. He is worth adding in leagues where he was dropped during his absence.

Carolina: Jarvis is back, and the injuries remain

Jarvis scoring in his first game is an encouraging sign that the shoulder is fine. He is a top-six forward and a reliable source of goals and shots, and he should be reactivated in every fantasy league immediately. Carolina still has holes: Taylor Hall is on injured reserve with an estimated return in early November, and Jordan Staal and Mark Jankowski were also out. That keeps Jarvis's role secure and his power-play usage high.

Bussi's 16 saves on 21 shots is a rough line, but Carolina's structure usually supports its goaltenders. He remains a viable fantasy option, though the Hurricanes' goaltending situation is worth monitoring given Carolina's reported pursuit of Connor Hellebuyck.

What the comeback says about Edmonton

The Oilers' 8-1-1 start is built on the same formula that has defined them for years: two of the best players in the world driving the offense, and enough secondary scoring and goaltending to win close games. Thursday was a perfect example. Carolina played well enough to win for most of the night, and Edmonton still found a way because McDavid and Draisaitl can produce multiple goals in a few minutes.

For fantasy managers, the lesson is about correlation. When Edmonton scores, McDavid and Draisaitl are almost always involved, which makes them some of the most reliable point producers in the league and makes the players who share the power play with them valuable as well. In daily fantasy, stacking the Oilers' top unit is a strategy that pays off most nights, and a game like this is exactly the ceiling that justifies the price.

The Verdexed angle

Edmonton's games carry high totals for a reason: the top line can single-handedly turn a deficit into a win, and the goaltending is solid rather than elite. That combination makes Oilers overs and McDavid and Draisaitl point props attractive more often than not. For the model's game-by-game view, see the daily NHL picks pieces and the NHL predictions page.

What to do in your league

Start McDavid and Draisaitl without exception. Roster and start Levi for wins until Andersen returns. Add Nugent-Hopkins if he is available. Reactivate Jarvis immediately. Keep Bussi as a streaming goaltender, but watch the Hellebuyck trade talk, since a deal involving Carolina would reshape the Hurricanes' crease overnight.