Kailer Yamamoto scored the game-winner with 27.8 seconds left in the third period to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues, who boast the second-ranked power play in the NHL, took the lead on the man advantage with 5:42 left the first. Jordan Kyrou’s one-timer ticked off Mikko Koskinen’s glove and in. The Oilers replied with just 4.1 ticks on the clock when Connor McDavid flicked in a pass from Zach Hyman. It was McDavid’s 600th career point.
McDavid set up Leon Draisaitl for a power play goal early in the second. Robert Bortuzzo pulled the Blues even just before the game’s halfway point.
The Oilers took control with goals eight seconds apart late in the second. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wristed in his first of the season, then Ryan McLeod shoveled in a backhand for his first NHL goal.
“It was a pretty surreal moment. It kind of puts in perspective how much hard work has paid off. It’s a really cool moment, I’m just going to keep building on it,” McLeod said taking in the moment.
Listen Below: Ryan McLeod
St. Louis responded in the third with goals from Ivan Barbashev and Vladimir Tarasenko, who tied it up with 12:12 to go.
In the final minute, Draisaitl sent a pass from the right wing into the slot. Yamamoto ripped in a one-timer for his third of the season.
“It was a good pass by (Darnell) Nurse. I had to make a tight turn to Draisaitl and he did the rest. I tried to find some open ice. He found me and it went in,” Yamamoto said after the game.
Listen Below: Kailer Yamamoto
Koskinen made 35 saves to improve to 9-1. Draisaitl had a goal and two assists, giving him 31 points on the season.
“We’ve been doing some things all right to win. But, we can get a lot better. I still think there’s a lot more to our game. We’re finding ways to win games,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said.
Listen Below: Dave Tippett
The Oilers, 11-3, will conclude their five-game road trip Tuesday in Winnipeg. Catch the action on 630 CHED with the Face-off Show at 4:30 p.m. The game will start at 6 p.m.
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