Connor McDavid scored a jaw-dropping goal and added the overtime winner as the Edmonton Oilers outlasted the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 Saturday night at Rogers Place.
“The only thing that game was missing was fans,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “The star players were out in full force. I thought both teams competed hard and we got a couple good saves from (Koskinen) and were able to capitalize in overtime.”
LISTEN BELOW: Dave Tippett
Mikko Lehtonen put his hand on the puck in the crease early in the first period, and Tyler Ennis was awarded a penalty shot. However, he shot wide.
Dominik Kahun registered his first as an Oiler with 8:32 left in the first. After fanning on his initial shot, Kahun lifted the second try past Freddie Andersen.
“I tried to shoot and I really fanned on it so it was a good fake,” Kahun said. “I watched the goal again and maybe if I hit the first shot, the (defenceman) gets his stick on it.”
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LISTEN BELOW: Dominik Kahun
William Nylander tied the game, but the Oilers regained the lead with 13.1 seconds left in the period. McDavid flipped a pass from behind the net to Josh Archibald, who buried his second of the season.
McDavid scored a highlight reel goal 6:13 into the second. On the power play, he took the puck deep in his own end and stormed up ice. Once over the Leafs blue line, McDavid maneuvered around Jake Muzzin and beat Andersen blocker side.
“I think that’s the second time this year already, if not more, everyone is just kind of in awe after something he does,” Oilers defenceman Tyson Barrie said.
“I don’t see how you stop it,” Barrie said. “Maybe you take a penalty and give us a 5-on-3 on something like that, but when he’s got that much speed and he’s picking through like that, you’ve either got to take a penalty or it’s in the back of your net.”
LISTEN BELOW: Tyson Barrie
The Leafs came back with two goals in 1:08 from Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman.
Both goalies made huge saves in the third. Mikko Koskinen dove to make a glove stop on Mitch Marner halfway through the period. With 10 seconds left, Archibald had an open look on a two-on-one, only to be denied by Andersen.
“You need one or two of those (saves) a game just to keep the game moving in your favour or keep it even,” Tippett said.
Overtime lasted 42 seconds. Leon Draisaitl sifted a pass to McDavid, who tapped the puck home.
“It can get away from you quick. We’ve got to find a way to string some (wins) together,” Barrie said. “It’s going to be a quick turnaround and hopefully we can get it going against Ottawa tomorrow.”
Ethan Bear was hit with a puck shot into the Oilers bench early in the third period. He didn’t return to the game and will be re-evaluated in the morning, according to Tippett.
The Oilers, 4-6, will host Ottawa Sunday at 7 p.m. Coverage on 630 CHED starts with the Face-off Show at 5:30 p.m.
With files from 630 CHED’s Brenden Escott
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