Mike Smith made 38 saves for his 40th career shutout as the Edmonton Oilers blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 Thursday night.
“Obviously the first two games have went real well for me,” said Smith. “I felt like I was prepared for these games, and obviously when you’re prepared — and you feel like you’re prepared — usually things go your way. So it feels good.”
LISTEN BELOW: Mike Smith
The Oilers (9-7) have won three in a row and six of their last seven.
Edmonton forward Jujhar Khaira took a pass from Josh Archibald and beat Montreal goaltender Jake Allen to open the scoring 8:27 into the game. Khaira has four goals in six career games against Montreal.
“I said earlier I wanted to carry on how I played in the bubble and it took a couple games, but that’s my goal and that’s what I’m trying to do,” said Khaira.
LISTEN BELOW: Juhjar Khaira
Early in the second, Allen stopped a shot from Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse. Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber tried to cleared the rebound, but accidentally banked the puck into his own net off Phillip Danault. Nurse got credit for his sixth of the season.
Edmonton blue-liner Tyson Barrie ripped home a one-timer on the power play early in the third to make it 3-0.
On Thursday afternoon, Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi was placed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol list. Edmonton goaltender Mikko Koskinen was held out of the game as a precaution. Dylan Wells served as the backup goalie.
“There was a few things that we had some players getting tested throughout the day that were not normal routine stuff, but for the most part we talked about what we wanted to do tonight and come out and play and put all that stuff behind you, and I thought our guys did a great job of that,” said head coach Dave Tippett.
LISTEN BELOW: Dave Tippett
The Oilers will host Winnipeg on Monday.