Mike Smith made 35 saves to backstop the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins Saturday afternoon.
The Oilers win marked just the second defeat the Bruins have sustained in regulation at home this season, a stat which pleased Smith.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers goalie Mike Smith speaks following Edmonton’s 4-1 over Boston
“It’s been a while since me, personally, was in for a win,” said the Oilers netminder. “That was just a great team effort, everyone played a big part in the game.
Leon Draisaitl took an early penalty for elbowing Torey Krug allowing the Bruins to take the lead on the power play. David Pastrnak’s shot deflected off Kris Russell and past Mike Smith for the only goal of the first period.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse speaks after Edmonton’s 4-1 win over Boston
In the second, Jake DeBrusk turned the puck over to Gaetan Haas in front of the Bruins net. Haas slid the puck under Jaroslav Halak for his fourth of the season. With 6.3 seconds to go in the second, Darnell Nurse beat Halak from a bad angle to put the Oilers ahead.
“We need to bring the mindset to carry this over,” said Nurse. “We know what we’re capable of and we showed it tonight.”
Connor McDavid took a pass from Zack Kassian and broke in alone for his 23rd before the third was two minutes old. Smith did the rest, turning away 21 Bruins shots in the third. Draisaitl sealed it with an empty net goal with nine seconds to go.
The Oilers, 22-17-5, will play in Toronto on Monday.