Draisaitl filling injured McDavid’s absence [Video]

CALGARY –

The Edmonton Oilers continue to dig themselves out of their early-season hole with Leon Draisaitl wielding a wide shovel in the absence of captain and NHL star Connor McDavid.

Draisaitl’s second three-point night since McDavid was sidelined with an ankle injury paced the Oilers to a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday in Edmonton’s lone visit to the Saddledome this season.

Draisaitl scored twice and had an assist in Edmonton’s 5-1 win in Nashville the day after McDavid was declared out for two to three weeks.

Draisaitl spurred the Oilers out of the gates Sunday by scoring 20 seconds after the opening faceoff with a deft backhand over Flames goalie Dan Vladar. 

The German forward assisted on Zach Hyman’s game-winning, power-play goal and on Mattias Janmark’s empty-netter in the third period.

“He’s really driving the bus right now for our team and in all areas of the game,” …