GAME RECAP: Montreal 4, Edmonton 3 (OTW)

Coming off a heart-breaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers yesterday, which saw Edmonton blow two separate 2 goal leads and give up 4 powerplay goals (for the first time since October 2010), the Oilers were in Montreal to take on the Habs. Big news for the Oilers, Klefbom is not playing once again for the Edmonton Oilers. He travelled with the team for the games against the Flyers and Canadiens, but alas wasn’t ready to go for the good guys.

First Period

Less than two minutes in, Benning takes a weak slashing call. And the weak, league-worst penalty kill gets burnt again, Weber blasts one by the Oilers netminder. The brutal attempt of a clear by RNH leads to the tally. 1-0 Montreal.

A scary moment as Lucic drives Mete into the boards, who’s head gets crunched by the awkward hit. Thankfully, he skates off under his own power. It wasn’t malicious, but could have been much worse.

A smaller Byron tries to take on Draisatl as they both brace for contact, and the much bigger Leon drops little Paul, so here goes another Oilers penalty kill… they kill it off. Hopefully they can keep that confidence going into the rest of the game.

The Oilers get their first powerplay of the game, as Domi makes no attempt to avoid the crease and runs over Koskinen. And as the powerplay comes to a close, Draisatl pots his 28th of the year on a scramble play in front of the net. 1-1.

The Oilers LOVE to turn the puck over at their own blue line and get hemmed in for a while, and they certainly allowed Montreal to enjoy a fair amount of zone time to close out the first. The Habs missed a few open nets, and luckily for Edmonton it is still all tied up.

Second Period

Just over a minute into the second, and the Canadiens are off to another quick start. Domi bats a puck down by the side of the net and wraps it around and into the open net. A good effort by Koskinen to get over, but he can only get a piece as the Montreal centre puts the bad guys up 2-1.

The Oilers are scrambling now, as Russell takes a bad hook and the Habs are back on the PP. Oilers getting outshot 14-7. Drouin trips up Draisatl, and the refs call Leon for a VERY questionable embellishment call. Why would he dive when he had a 2 on 1 with McDavid shorthanded? Once again, tickle me annoyed by NHL officiating.

Jordie Benn takes a phantom penalty… make-up call for the Draisatl one? If only the Oilers could win a faceoff. The Oil get a nice chance off the rush, but RNH is denied by the diving blocker of Carey Price. Rattie also gets a shot off from the rush, but again Price is there. Another broken play, and another OILERS GOAL. McDavid tucks one in off the scramble, and the game is tied. McDavid’s 31st makes it 2-2, and the Oilers put up 4 shots on the powerplay.

Rieder gets a breakaway, and I’m convinced he will never score again in an NHL game. The guy didn’t even SHOOT. Woof.

A bad sequence for both teams, as Byron injures his left arm on the end boards and Khaira takes a puck off the ankle. Update – Khaira returned.

Off a McDavid rush, Lucic gets a great chance but Price is up to the task. Weber takes a hook, however, and the Oilers are back to the PP. Draisatl tucks another one in with the extra man off a lovely pass from Chiasson in front of the net, and the Oilers take their first lead of the day. Three tap-ins for the Oilers, and Drai gets his 29th of the year.

The Oilers are buzzing now, and McDavid takes a slash, hook and hit from behind in the same shift. I mean, he drew one penalty this game so why should he get another one? That’s just us fans being greedy, I guess.

Domi takes another dumb penalty with just under two minutes to go, and the Oilers are back on the powerplay. Not much going on.

Third Period

Price is standing on his head to start the third period, and he somehow holds the fort on the Draisatl line. Starting strong is important, as they need these two points. Every point matters now.

Oof, Larsson takes a not-so-smart penalty on Drouin. Gave him a few cross-checks, a slash, a punch to the head… finally gets called. Would have liked a little more restraint from the Oilers d-man. Good penalty kill, we don’t get to say that often.

The middle part of this period has had good pace, with no whistles for a long stretch. Canadiens pressing, but can’t get any shots on net. Shots 21-21 as Edmonton buttons up… and just as I type that, Kotkaniemi tucks one over Koskinen’s shoulder after he fails to cover and the defenders can’t clear it. 3-3.

After allowing the tying goal, the Oilers haven’t been able to muster much. Seems like they love to play for overtime sometimes, not that that strategy worked out well the day before. And that’s where we’re at – OT.

Overtime

The opening 40 seconds of overtime are nuts, McDavid and Draisatl have a 2 on 1 then a 2 on 0, Domi takes a great shot on a 2 on 1… wow. And then Drouin walks Russell and goes top shelf on Koskinen. Horribly played by our resident rancher and its 4-3 Montreal.

Another overtime loss after they go into the third period with a lead. Tough pill to swallow out of the break with their playoff lives on the line.