The Edmonton Oilers scored four goals in the last 10 minutes of the third period to oust the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 Monday night at Rogers Place.
The Oilers have won eight straight home games.
Jujhar Khaira was wobbled by a hit from Alexander Romanov partway through the first. After being belted in the neutral zone, Khaira struggled to remain upright and was helped off the ice. He didn’t return to the game.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers blueliner Ethan Bear speaks following Edmonton’s win over Montreal Monday
“That’s the kind of hockey we’re going to have down the stretch,” Oilers defenceman Ethan Bear said.
Connor McDavid beat Carey Price with a long wrist shot with just under eight minutes to go in the first, but the goal was disallowed after video review showed Alex Chiasson was guilty of goalie interference.
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Jake Allen replaced Price to the start the second. The Canadiens took the lead when Corey Perry’s pass went in off Eric Staal’s right skate 6:46 into the period. Later, McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi had a two-on-nothing, but the puck flipped off McDavid’s stick before they could get a shot.
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers captain Connor McDavid speaks after Monday’s game
“I thought they got the jump on us in the first 10 (minutes) and I thought we did a good job responding physically,” McDavid said. “I thought we got our hands back as the night went on and started to make some passes and that sped our game up. That’s a team that’s had our number, for whatever reason, this year and that’s a big win for our group.”
With 9:11 left in the third, McDavid fed Ethan Bear, who ripped in his first goal since February 6, 2020.
“That was a part of the game for me that I haven’t felt in a long time, and it feels really good,” Bear said.
McDavid then recorded a goal for the highlight reel. With 4:49 left, he picked up the puck at his own blue line and blazed through the neutral zone. He darted between Jeff Petry and Joel Edmundson, then extended his body to flip a shot behind Allen.
“I’m never really afraid to take on two defenders — it can get me into trouble sometimes,” McDavid said. “Jesse did a great job backchecking and separating the guy from the puck and it kind of popped free and I was able to get it in good stride and the (defense) were scrambling back.”
LISTEN BELOW: Oilers head coach Dave Tippett
“It’s not as if it’s the first time he’s ever done that,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “He was real competitive tonight. With losing (Khaira) in the game, I used him and Draisaitl again a lot and they both answered the bell.”
Just 2:26 later, Puljujarvi wristed home a shot on a breakaway to make it 3-1, then Devin Shore added an empty netter.
McDavid finished with a goal and two assists. Mike Smith made 22 saves to improve to 16-4-2.
The Oilers, 27-15-2, will host the Canadiens again on Wednesday.
— With files from 630 CHED’s Brenden Escott
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