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The stars shine as Penguins defeat Oilers in a thriller

Pittsburgh Penguins v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 10: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers pursues Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 10, 2017 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

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Sidney Crosby versus Connor McDavid, Round Two, turned out to be a thriller between the Penguins and Oilers.

After a slow start for the home team, getting outshot 14-8 and trailing 2-0 after Pittsburgh goals from Nick Bonino and Evgeni Malkin, his 32nd of the season, the Oilers battled back to eventually tie the game on a power play goal from McDavid, forcing an edge-of-your-seat three-on-three overtime session.

Both teams had their chances.

With Crosby on the ice, McDavid ended up with a breakaway to win the game but lost control of the puck after getting tangled up with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury as Edmonton’s star tried to stop suddenly and move to his forehand. Fleury made another pad save on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, keeping his team in it.

The stars came out once again in the shootout. Let’s be honest: It can be a buzzkill to go from the chaotic pace of three-on-three overtime to the slower and systematic process of the shootout. But then again, this particular occasion showcased the elite talent on both teams. Crosby and McDavid each scored, before Phil Kessel absolutely ripped a wrist shot by Cam Talbot and off the back bar for the winning goal in a 3-2 victory.

(Watch the video below: On the Kessel shot, it’s like you can’t even see the puck until it finally slows down after hitting the back bar.)

“That was a great hockey game with chances both ways,” said McDavid.

“To say it’s a normal game ... would be lying. [Crosby is] somebody I’ve looked up to my whole life and to play against him is fun,” McDavid continued.

The Penguins won their fourth in a row to move within three points of the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

For the Oilers, they still hold on to third in the Pacific Division, one point back of Anaheim.

But the red-hot Calgary Flames -- yeah, that was intended -- are right there, one point back of Edmonton thanks to eight consecutive wins, which only adds further intrigue to the battle for second and third in that division.