Connor McDavid notched a goal and assisted on Leon Draisaitl’s game-winning power-play goal in overtime, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
“We still had our looks today, but teams are obviously hyper-aware when we’re out there so it only gets harder and harder,” Draisaitl remarked on Edmonton’s power-play execution. “But we stuck with it and eventually got one. “We’ll take the two points, but there is lots to do better.”
Adam Henrique found the net and Mattias Edholm contributed two assists as the Oilers extended their winning streak to eight victories in 11 games (8-1-2). Calvin Pickard stood tall with 23 saves.
It marked Henrique’s first goal since his trade to Edmonton from the Anaheim Ducks near the deadline.
“I feel my game’s been good. Of course, you want to score, coming into a new team. You want to find ways to contribute,” Henrique said. “For me, the focus is that the complete game has to be there. (It was) certainly nice to get on the board tonight.”
Nick Suzuki and Kaiden Guhle responded with goals in the third period as Montreal battled back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime. Sam Montembeault turned away 29 shots for the Canadiens, who have dropped three consecutive games, including two in overtime.
“It’s one of the best games that we’ve played all year, so a lot of positives,” Montreal assistant coach Trevor Letowski said. “I’m not going to stand here and be negative.
“It’s a tough way to go down because the players left everything on the line and to have to kill six minutes like that in the game, especially against a team like that, we almost got to the end, but they made us pay right at the end of it. The (Montreal players) certainly shouldn’t hang their heads after that game, they should be real proud of their effort.”
Edmonton struck first 9:20 into the opening frame courtesy of a brilliant individual effort from McDavid, who outmaneuvered Guhle before beating goaltender Sam Montembeault with his 26th goal of the season.
Guhle made a crucial defensive play about five minutes later, clearing the puck from the crease to prevent the Oilers from extending their lead. The Oilers doubled their advantage with five minutes left in the second period, as Mattias Ekholm set up Henrique in tight for his 19th tally of the season.
Montreal ended Pickard’s bid for consecutive shutouts just 32 seconds into the third period when Suzuki redirected the puck into the net off both of his skates for his 27th goal of the season.
The Canadiens leveled the score at 2 while the teams were skating four players aside 4:43 into the third period. Jake Evans fed Guhle, who beat Pickard on the glove side for his fifth goal of the season. Edmonton had a late power play opportunity, but was unable to capitalize before the end of regulation, with Zach Hyman striking the post with a shot.
However, with 28 seconds remaining in regulation, Joel Armia received a double-minor penalty for high sticking, extending into overtime. Montreal was without head coach Martin St. Louis, who was dealing with a personal family matter.
McDavid became the first player with over 80 assists in consecutive seasons since Joe Thornton achieved the feat in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.
