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Vegas Golden Knights: McDavid back, sets up fascinating battle

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his goal with teammates, to take a 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings, during the second period at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his goal with teammates, to take a 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings, during the second period at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Pacific Division is currently in the control of the Vegas Golden Knights, but the return of a certain superstar on Sunday could set up a grandstand finish.

After knocking off six straight wins, the Vegas Golden Knights are sitting pretty at the top of their division and look to have figured it out at the perfect time.

However, the Edmonton Oilers were boosted by the return of Connor McDavid today, and they look to be the main challengers to the Knights along with the Vancouver Canucks.

McDavid had missed six games with a quad injury and any team is going to suffer from missing one of the best players on the planet.

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However, the Oilers had hung on in there thanks in large part to the heroics of Leon Draisaitl who leads the NHL in points with 98.

Having McDavid back will only help Edmonton go from strength-to-strength, though, and the forward balled out in his first game back.

He showed of his slick hands to deke LA Kings goalie Calvin Petersen before lifting a backhander over the netminder and into the net.

McDavid also recorded two assists to finish his first game back with a three-point night, and his return spells bad news for the Golden Knights and the rest of the Pacific.

For starters, McDavid will be in the lineup when the Knights take on the Oilers on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena after there had been some hope that the superstar may have been still been recovering from his quad injury.

The Golden Knights are red hot right now but if anyone can stop them it will be McDavid, who can along with Draisaitl help drag the Oilers to the Pacific Division Crown.

As we currently stand, the Knights sit atop the Pacific with 76 points while the Oilers are second with 73 and the Vancouver Canucks are third with 72 points.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers breaks in on Derek Forbort #24 of the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in a 4-2 Oilers win at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers breaks in on Derek Forbort #24 of the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in a 4-2 Oilers win at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

But, and there is a major caveat at play here, the Oilers have played two less games than Vegas and the Canucks have played three less.

So Wednesday’s game is of paramount importance to both the Golden Knights and the Oilers, and both teams could have new faces in the lineup with the Trade Deadline on Monday.

And having McDavid back will now set up a tantalizing battle for the Pacific Division between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.

Connor McDavid is the best player on the planet, arguably, and his return comes at the perfect time for the Oilers, but at the worst possible time for the Golden Knights who now have the Division to lose.

Next. Martinez has a night to remember. dark

It should be a fascinating battle to watch unfold down the stretch.

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