Leon Draisaitl scored two power play goals as the Edmonton Oilers downed the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 Sunday night.
“Not a pretty one, but no one’s going to ask how we won this game at the end of the day,” said Draisaitl.
LISTEN BELOW: Leon Draisaitl
Josh Archibald, moved up to play with Connor McDavid because of an injury to Zack Kassian, deflecting a pass from Darnell Nurse past Jacob Markstrom. Brock Boeser replied for the Canucks, finishing off a short passing play with Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller.
Late in the first, Patrick Russell thought he scored his first career goal when he swept in a rebound. However, the Canucks successfully challenged for goalie interference, and the goal was taken off the board.
Josh Leivo scored on a rebound to put the Canucks up 2-1 with 7:54 left in the second. Just 1:45 later, Draisaitl one-timed a pass from Connor McDavid for a power play goal.
Draisaitl struck on the power play again early in the third, finishing off a quick passing play with James Neal and Alex Chiasson.
Mikko Koskinen made 29 saves to improve to 10-2-2.
“The third period was our best tonight,” said Koskinen. “I think we outplayed them in the third and that’s why we got the win.”
LISTEN BELOW: Mikko Koskinen
Kassian (back) and Mike Smith (leg) didn’t play. Both are considered day-to-day. Goaltender Stuart Skinner came up from Bakersfield to serve as Koskinen’s backup. Defenceman Kris Russell missed the game to be with his wife as she gave birth to their second child.
Defenceman Matt Benning returned to action after missing five games with an injury. However, he left the game in the second period after blocking a shot.
“We knew it was going to take a full team effort tonight,” said Head Coach Dave Tippett. “Especially missing a few guys, and then we lost Benning during the game. Our goaltender played well. Special Teams was pretty good.”
LISTEN BELOW: Dave Tippett
McDavid was named the NHL’s First Star for November, having racked up 26 points in 14 games. He and Chiasson both had two assists on Sunday.
The Oilers, 17-9-3, will host Ottawa on Wednesday.