In Boston Sunday, the visiting Edmonton Oilers came in with a juggled lineup in an effort to get offense and support the defense; for one night, it paid off with a 4-2 win over the Bruins.
Ryan Strome struck for the game-winner on a new line with Leon Draisaitl early in the third period.
Cam Talbot of the Edmonton Oilers got the win Sunday over the Bruins with the help of solid defense and a good offense – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
“Just try to get open and make little plays. He (Draisaitl) sees the ice so well, and I’ve never really played with a centerman with that type of skill, ability,” Strome said. “Obviously, Connor [McDavid’s] got great 1-on-1 skill, but the way Leon sees the ice and makes plays is pretty special, so you try to get open, and luckily we were able to convert on one there.”
Cam Talbot played a solid game in net with the offense clicking and not having to worry about where his defense was; he made 23 saves to get the win.
Edmonton improved to 9-13-2.
“We finished the trip off the way we wanted to as far as tonight goes,” Oilers head coach Todd McLellan said. “It was not enough points in the bank [the whole trip], but tonight was a well-played team game by everybody that dressed, starting with the goaltender out. I thought we managed the puck much better, got pucks behind them, and had more of a forecheck game than a pretty game, and it helped us.”
David Pastrnak and David Krejci scored for the Bruins who saw their four-game win streak snapped in the loss.
“I think we were just looking for another play instead of just throwing it to the net,” Pastrnak said. “I think we had a couple of opportunities where we could have just shot it at the net and you never know what could have happened, other chances or something.”
Patrick Maroon and Adam Larsson also scored for the Oilers who ended a roadie with a 2-2-0 record.
Draisaitl sealed the win with an empty-netter off a second chance on the puck from the blueline.
“Well, he (Draisaitl) skated today. We had a chat before practice that I told you about. You know a lot of times he just skates for Leon. Tonight, he skated for his teammates and created open ice and did some things that were beneficial to his linemates,” McLellan said after the game.
[WATCH:Â All Oilers vs. Bruins highlights]
Tuukka Rask took the loss on 32 saves and looked good but was left out I the wilderness by a slow defensive corps.
“When they start to pile up and nothing seems to go your way, it’s frustrating. Obviously right now, it’s frustrating, but tomorrow is a new day, go back to work,” Rask said after the loss, his fourth straight.
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