The Winnipeg Jets outlasted the Edmonton Oilers for a 1-0 shootout win Sunday night.
“It was kind of a mucky game,” said Oilers head coach Dave Tippett. “Both teams had some chances. Both goaltenders played very well.”
LISTEN BELOW: Dave Tippett
The Oilers had a 7-2 advantage on the shot clock in the first period, but the Jets had the better scoring chances. They shot wide on several good looks at the net.
The Jets tested Mike Smith in the second period, but he turned away all nine shots he faced in the frame.
Carl Dahlstrom beat Smith with a wrist shot with 11:33 left in the third, but the goal came off the board when the Oilers successfully challenged for offside. The Jets continued to test Smith down the stretch, but couldn’t solve the veteran netminder.
The three-on-three overtime featured chances at both ends. Connor Hellebuyck stopped Connor McDavid on a breakaway. Smith made a couple of big saves in the final minute.
In the shootout, Kyle Connor and Patrick Laine scored for Winnipeg while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid couldn’t convert for the Oilers.
“It was a good hockey game,” said Smith. “Both teams were fighting for air out there. It was a tight game. It was a hard game.”
Both Smith (23 saves) and Hellebuyck (28 saves) earn shutouts.
“I think we’re happy with the point,” added Smith. “Obviously, you’d like more, but I think we did a lot of good things tonight. I was happy with our team’s grind tonight. We found a way to grind it out and get a big point on the road.”
LISTEN BELOW: Mike Smith
The Oilers, 7-1-1, will visit Minnesota on Tuesday.