The Vancouver Canucks scored three goals in the third period to beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 Monday night.
Tyler Motte opened the scoring with a quick shot off a face-off 11:15 into the game.
LISTEN: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins replied for the Oilers less than five minutes later. He cut through the slot and beat Jacob Markstrom with a wrist shot for his seventh of the season.
Oscar Klefbom scored the only goal of the second period, hitting the top corner on the power play early in the session.
LISTEN: Head Coach Dave Tippett speaks postgame
Captain Connor McDavid says it’s been a tough stretch for the club.
“(We’ve) been on the road, been at home, we’ve been traveling a lot (and) playing lots of games in a short period of time,” he said.
“Obviously we’re not making excuses for ourselves, but guys are tired. And this break comes at a good time.”
Bo Horvat pulled the Canucks even four minutes into the third. A rebound went in off his right skate. The goal was reviewed for being kicked in, but it was ruled Horvat didn’t use a distinct kicking motion.
The Oilers were penalized for too many men, and Quinn Hughes made them pay by blasting home a point shot with 6:12 left. Loui Eriksson added an empty netter.
LISTEN: Captain Connor McDavid
Head coach Dave Tippett says the Oilers simply didn’t make plays when they needed to, specifically on the game-winner.
“The details of winning caught us. We jumped on early on a change and took a penalty, and had a chance to block a shot. Didn’t block a shot, and it’s in the back of the net,” he said.
He also says he felt confused by the explanation from the officials, following Horvat’s goal.
“They just said it went upstairs, and they reviewed it, and (it was a) good goal,” he said.
“But I’ve looked at it a lot of times. If it’s illegal to kick a puck in the net – that’s kicking.”
The Oilers, 20-16-4, will host Calgary on Friday after their three-day Christmas break.