In Toronto, the Edmonton Oilers had a 2-1 lead in the first period and surrendered three straight goals to the Maple Leafs in a 4-2 loss on Wednesday night.
It was the fifth straight loss for the Oilers.
TJ Brodie tied the game, 2-2, before the end of the opening frame, Ilya Mikheyev hit for the game-winner, off the power play, midway through the third period.
“Mikheyev makes us a better team, there’s no question about that,” Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “And it’s not just because he’s scored here. We’ve known that as long as he’s been with us. He makes us a deeper team, a better team.”
Jack Campbell made 28 saves in the Toronto win.
“Of course it’s good for me, but it’s more important that I played good games the last few games, and it’s important more than goals,” Mikheyev said. “If I have a chance for a shot, why not? I’m going to try to just keep shooting.”
The Maple Leafs improved to 22-8-2.
John Tavares staked tht e Maple Leafs to an early 1-0 lead, and William Nylander added two assists.
“I’m just trying to create space and get to open areas,” Nylander said. “I’m playing with great players that can find me those areas. Our line (Tavares and Kerfoot) has been getting some really good chemistry and good looks as of late, so we want to keep building off that.
“It’s nice to score goals, but what’s most important is getting the wins.”
Leon Draisaitl and Brendan Perlini were the Oilers strikers.
“It was good compete. I guess it could have went either way after the second, but yet we are standing here leaving again with no points,” Draisaitl said. “You hope that there are better days ahead, but it’s frustrating. No one wants to lose and we’ve been losing for a long time now. Eventually, it’s time to win, so yeah, let’s just leave it at that.
“We’re not quitting on anyone, on our coach, ourselves as players, our team, our goalies, nobody. We’re not quitting. There’s still lots of season left.”
Edmonton dropped to 18-14-2.
“There was lots of try in our game, lots of push, lots of people trying to have an impact on the game, which is good to see,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “We just can’t get that play made that makes a difference on the positive side for us. (This is a) game where every play counts and you need that play to get you over the top. They got it tonight and we didn’t.”
The Maple Leafs’ Alexander Kerfoot potted an empty-net goal for the 4-2 final.
Mike Smith made 29 saves in the Edmonton loss.
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