With the clock passing the midway point of the third period, John Tavares potted a power play goal for the Maple Leafs in Toronto, for the tie-breaking and game-winning goal over the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-2 decision, on Friday night.
“As the game went on we got better,” Tavares said. “We were a little loose with some opportunities they created in the first period, but other than that, I thought we really found our game plan and guys stepped up and got a big bounce-back win.”
Frederik Andersen made 29 saves in the win.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were the Oilers’ strikers.
“We just made one or two more mistakes and they capitalized,” McDavid said. “They’re a good offensive team, if you give them a little sniff they’re going to figure it out. I liked our first period and I like our third period. Our second period wasn’t our best and they found a way to get a couple. We tied the game early in the third and they pushed all the way through. They get a [power play] and they score and that’s the game.”
Jimmy Vesey and Adam Brooks also scored for the Leafs.
“In a game going into it without two very important players for us, we get down with a shorthanded goal but responded right away,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “That was a positive sign for us. Really good signs for us, we were steady all the way through, and I thought Fred Andersen was outstanding and that gave our group confidence.”
Mitchell Marner scored late in the third to seal the win.
Mikko Koskinen made 25 saves in the loss.
“The (second and third) goals were mistakes by us, poor giveaways in our own end and we didn’t get in a lane, and taking a penalty in the third and it cost us the game,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said.
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