Mark Letestu scored a power play goal with 16 seconds left in overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night.
The victory snaps the Oilers four-game losing streak.
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The Blackhawks opened the scoring 7:33 into the game. Just after their power play expired, Patrick Kane’s fluttering centring pass deflected in off Cam Talbot’s skate.
The Oilers tied it with 2:42 left in the first on a spectacular play by Connor McDavid. After gaining the Chicago zone, McDavid spun and skated backwards toward the net. He then fed a behind-the-back pass to Patrick Maroon, who tapped in his first of the season.
The Oilers were in penalty trouble early in the second period but were able to kill off a 56-second two-man disadvantage.
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The third period was also scoreless with rookie Kailer Yamamoto just missing a couple of great scoring chances in tight.
With 1:15 left in overtime, Kane took a penalty for hooking McDavid. On the ensuing four-on-three, Letestu took a pass from Oscar Klefbom and drilled a one-timer past Anton Forsberg.
“In a tough building against a good team, I thought we played the whole game, pretty structured. We gave up our chances, but the goaltender was there, guys made some big blocks. We felt more like ourselves, and we got a result tonight which was nice,” said Letestu, after the game.
McDavid had two assists, and after the game had praise for goaltender Cam Talbot, who was strong in goal.
“When he’s on everyone is so much better,” said McDavid. “You know you can make a mistake, because you know he’s back there… all hats off to him, especially on those kills in the second, he was great, he made that toe save, he was spectacular tonight.”
Talbot made 30 saves on the night. The Oilers struggling penalty kill responded with a perfect 5/5 night. They were 1/2 on the power play.
Coach Todd McLellan said it was nice to get the victory, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“We’re still digging the sand off our bodies, and we’ve got to keep going, and if we come up with a poor effort, shame on us in Philly,” said McLellan. “Doesn’t mean we’re going to win the game, but the commitment level has to stay where it’s been the last little bit here, and we’ve got to keep digging our way out.”
The Oilers improve to 2-4 on the season. They’ll visit Philadelphia on Saturday.
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