The Edmonton Oilers ended a four-game winless skid with a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Texas on Monday night.
The Oilers struck first when Zack Kassian finished off a passing play from Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse. It was Kassian’s 12th goal of the season.
On a power play later in the first, Oilers forward Alex Chiasson threw a backhand pass across the crease to Leon Draisaitl, who snapped in his 21st goal of the season.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers forward Alex Chiasson speaks following Edmonton’s 2-1 win in Dallas
“We showed up to play in the first period,” Chiasson said following the game. “We stayed with it through 40 minutes and found a way to get two points on the road.
It was the first time the Oilers had the lead after the first period since their 2-1 win over Los Angeles on Dec. 6.
Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen had the highlight of the second period, reaching out with his glove to deny Dallas’ Alexander Radulov on a Stars power play.
With goaltender Ben Bishop on the bench for an extra attacker, Tyler Seguin put the Stars on the board with 2:37 left.
Dallas applied more pressure in the final minute. Koskinen made a brilliant blocker save on Dallas forward Corey Perry from in tight to help preserve the win.
Draisaitl said Koskinen was a game-changer.
“He was amazing. The whole game he was on — you could tell from the get-go,” he said.
“I thought our team helped him out a lot. I thought we were pretty solid for the most part. It’s a good team over there, they’re going to get chances, but I thought we were pretty solid.”
Koskinen made 34 saves to improve to 12-5-2. McDavid had two assists.
Oilers head Coach Dave Tippett credited his veterans for setting the tone.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers head coach Dave Tippett speaks following Edmonton’s 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars
“Our guys were real focused today. (They) came in in the morning skate (and) you could tell there was a real business-like approach to it,” he said. “(We) talked a little bit about it, but it was mostly those leaders in that room that said, ‘We’re going to get the job done tonight.’
“They had a hard push at the end there, but we were pretty solid most of the game. I like the way we played, hopefully we can continue that.”
The Oilers (19-13-4) will visit St. Louis on Wednesday.
–With files from 630 CHED’s Evan Cooke
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