GAME CHANGER: McDavid's opener

It was a near perfect way to launch a new era.
The Oilers new captain, charged with leading the franchise to success, led the way on the ice as Edmonton cruised past their provincial rivals in their first regular season game in their new arena.

Pat Maroon scored the first regular season goal in Rogers Place history just 1:10 into the game. Although the crowd in Edmonton was going crazy, they were quickly reined in when Alex Chiasson tied the game just 36 seconds later.
Tyler Pitlick and Zack Kassian each scored to put the Oilers up 3-1 at the end of the first. That's when things took a turn for the Flames. Troy Brouwer and Michael Frolik scored to tie the game again.
Enter the captain.
As great players do, McDavid put the team on his back and scored two consecutive goals to, once again, put the Oilers in charge of things.

At 12:17 of the second, McDavid deftly played a rebound off the boards and backhanded it past Brian Elliot to make it a 4-3 game.
2:16 after that goal, McDavid scored again - this time on a penalty shot. McDavid raced ahead of the Flames defence and drew a penalty. As he came down on the ensuing penalty shot, McDavid showed lightning fast hands and buried the puck past Elliot.

The Flames would never recover.
Jesse Puljujarvi scored his first career NHL goal 9:00 into the third to put the game away. And although Dennis Wideman would score for the Flames, Jordan Eberle responded at 18:38 of the third to finish off the 7-4 win.
McDavid finished the game with two goals and an assist - his helper coming on Kassian's marker - as well as a team high six shots on goal in 23:27 of ice time.
When your captain can control a game like McDavid did on opening night, it's a real game changer.