The Edmonton Oilers picked up their first OT loss of the season as they failed to overcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 4-3 game. The Oilers let a 3-1 third period lead slip as the Leafs fought back for their third win in a row. Morgan Reilly had the winner while McDavid, Draisaitl and Nurse had the goals for Edmonton.
The loss keeps Edmonton in third place in the North division with 43pts and extends Toronto’s lead on the Oilers to three points.
It was a loss that stung but I think the Oilers put up a good fight considering the situation they were in.
First Period:
Considering that Edmonton was coming off a week without a game, this was a pretty entertaining period. It took a while for things to open up in the first half as both teams were keeping each other to the outside but, when it did, it was a shooter’s gallery.
The McDavid line had Edmonton’s first shift of prolonged pressure near the midway point of the frame but couldn’t solve Jack Campbell. The Maple Leafs did have the better chances, however, as Mike Smith had to be sharp. A sprawling save on a red-hot Jason Spezza was the best of the period.
Jesse Puljujarvi must’ve had 6 or 7 shot attempts to start this one. The kid was buzzing.
The rust was showing for Edmonton as they were caught in their own zone more than a few times. It didn’t cost them as the teams left the ice with a 0-0 score.
Second Period:
My wonderful internet decided to shut down for the first half of this period so, unfortunately, I do not know how that section of the period went.
I imagine poorly as the Leafs were up by a goal when I regained connection. It was Pierre Engvall that beat Smith from a really strange angle. The Leafs break the ice as they pick up the 1-0 lead.
Darnell Nurse would tie things up on the rush shortly after as he went five-hole on Campbell. McDavid picks up the primary assist to extend his point streak to 10 games and we had a 1-1 game.
McDavid would then connect with Draisaitl on a beautiful pass later in the period to give Edmonton their first lead. It was a patented Drai one-timer and the score read 2-1 EDM. The Oilers didn’t stop there as Draisaitl fed Tyson Barrie in front of the Toronto net to make it 3-1.
Barrie continues his torrid scoring pace AND gets one against his former team. The Oilers would go into the third with a two-goal lead.
Third Period:
The Leafs were determined to cut into the lead in the early goings off the third. They were awarded a power-play in the first few minutes and boy did they get close.
Auston Matthews was absolutely robbed by the glove of Smith and then John Tavares caught iron just a few moments later. Luckily, Mike Smith was in some kind of mood tonight. He was huge to start this period.
Tavares would eventually find the back of the net as he pounced on a puck in the slot. 3-2 Oiler lead coming with 7:30 left. Nylander then completed the comeback as he sent a blistering one-timer passed Smith. 3-3 game LATE in the period.
60 minutes wouldn’t be enough as Edmonton would head to only their second OT of the year.
OT:
It wouldn’t take long for this one to end. Just a minute and a half into the OT a shot from Reilly was tipped past Smith. The Oilers blow the 3-1 lead and fail to overcome Toronto 4-3.
Takeaways:
- Mike Smith was solid for the most part tonight. Despite giving up two late goals I thought he had a good game between the pipes. He bailed Edmonton out on more than a few chances and I don’t really fault him on any of the goals against.
- The game-winning goal tipped off of Draisaitl AND Nurse. Talk about a fluky goal and just Edmonton’s luck against Toronto. Dumb luck.
- At this point I have no idea who the better passer is between McDavid and Draisaitl. As soon as I thought McDavid took the crown with that beautiful no-looker on the second goal Draisaitl feeds Barrie on a no-looker behind the back. We are truly spoiled for having the opportunity to watch these players.
- The first period in particular was hard to watch just because of how sloppy they were. You can write it off to some rust from the extended break but they were lucky to get out of it without a goal against. They got better as the game went on but I still think they got caught up in their own end a bit too much.
- Are we just going to ignore how much Ethan Bear has carried Kris Russell? The kid should be on the top pairing but he is towing the line on the third pairing. You don’t trade players like him.
- Nurse and Barrie might be the best OFFENSIVE pairing in the league. I won’t comment on their overall defensive game but they can put the puck in the net.
- I wouldn’t be concerned about the Oilers. They played a pretty decent game under some weird circumstances. Blowing the lead in the third makes this one sting that much more but I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Edmonton picks up the point and moves to 21-13-1 on the season with 43pts. They’ll get another crack at the Leafs on Monday.