The Edmonton Oilers were anything but super on Super Bowl Sunday, getting thumped 6-2 by the Canadiens in Montreal.
It’s the Oilers first regulation time loss since Jan. 9 in Los Angeles — They’ve gone 9-0-2 since then.
“Both teams got what they deserved. Montreal played a very good game, credit to them, and I don’t think we were very sharp at all,” said head coach Jay Woodcroft.
The Canadiens dominated early, registering the first eight shots on goal and going up 1-0 on a wrister by Alex Belzille. It was the first NHL goal for the 31-year-old playing his 20th NHL game.
Montreal continued to soar in the second period. Jordan Harris beat Stuart Skinner from a sharp angle, then Josh Anderson scored on a power play to make it 3-0 Canadiens with 11:37 left in the second.
Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais, playing in front of a couple of dozen family and friends, dropped the gloves with Arber Xhekaj, who left the game after the bout with an apparent hand injury.
That sparked the Oilers, who celebrated a power play goal by Leon Draisaitl with 7:38 to go in the second.
The Oilers couldn’t tally on a two-man advantage that lasted 1:28, but Evander Kane would score just after the second penalty expired to pull them within a goal. Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored on a power play tip late in the second to make it 4-2 Montreal.
Harris came down the left side and notched his second of the game three minutes into the third. Kirby Dach set up Christian Dvorak for a shorthanded goal to make it 6-2.
“They were ready. They were in our faces, they blocked shots, we didn’t. They just played better,” said Oilers Vincent Desharnais.
Connor McDavid’s point streak ended at 15 games.
The Oilers, 30-19-5, will host Detroit on Wednesday (630 CHED, Face-off Show at 6 p.m., game at 7:30 p.m.).