Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two goals and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 Saturday night at Rogers Place.
Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 6:49 of the first period. Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard assisted on the goal.
Zemgus Girgensons tied the game for the Sabres at 11:59 of the first period, but Nugent-Hopkins gave the Oilers the lead back just 1:09 later with his second goal of the game.
Connor McDavid made it 3-1 Oilers with a goal at 17:19 of the first period. Tyson Barrie and Nugent-Hopkins assisted on the goal.
The Oilers have now won four straight games and are 5-2-0 in their last seven games.
They are now 12-9-0 this season and sit in third place in the Pacific Division.
The Sabres have now lost six straight games and are 6-13-1 this season.
They are last place in the Atlantic Division.
Nugent-Hopkins has been one of the Oilers' best players this season.
He has 10 goals and 15 assists in 21 games.
He is now tied for the team lead in goals with Connor McDavid.
Leon Draisaitl assisted on Nugent-Hopkins' first goal to extend his point streak to six games.
He has 10 goals and 16 assists in 21 games this season.
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist in the win.
He has 13 goals and 21 assists in 21 games this season.
He is now tied for the NHL lead in points with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins.
The Oilers are a team on the rise, and Nugent-Hopkins is a big reason why.
He is a versatile player who can play center or wing and is a dangerous scorer and playmaker.
With Nugent-Hopkins leading the way, the Oilers are a legitimate contender in the Pacific Division.
