In Edmonton Sunday, the visiting Minnesota Wild were propped up by a 28-save effort from Devan Dubnyk in a 2-1 overtime win over the Oilers.
Mikko Koivu picked up game-winner in OT- file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The Wild’s Mikko Koivu scored with just under two minutes left in extra time to enable Minnesota to escape with the win.
“Mikko Koivu did so many things aside from scoring that winning goal,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “He was 21-2 on the faceoffs. I’ve never seen it that high, that kind of percentage for that kind of number you’ve taken. I’m sure someone has been 26-1 at some point, but not too many people have done that. He was out there every time there was an important faceoff. I thought he controlled the game when he was out there. He was a true leader out there.”
Charlie Coyle scored in regulation for the Wild who improved to 12-8-4 on the season.
WATCH: All Wild vs. Oilers highlights
Jonas Gustavsson took the loss on 31 saves as the Oilers dropped to 14-10-3.
“I didn’t think he [Koivu] had that much room to go into the middle, so I thought I would cut the angle off with the poke-check, but he made a good move and was able to go around the stick there,” Gustavsson said. “Looking back at it, you think you shouldn’t have poke-checked and stayed more patient, but you make a quick decision in the game and sometimes they beat you.”
Patrick Maroon was the lone goal scorer for the Oilers.
“I thought we found a way to get a point on an ugly night and they found a way to get two points on an ugly night,” Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. “It wasn’t the most entertaining game and I think that happens when the schedule takes its toll on not only our team, but other teams. For us to scratch and claw and get a point, I don’t want to say we’re satisfied, but it was good to get that. I didn’t think we had the energy level and polish that we needed to beat a good defensive team tonight.”
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