There are good hockey games, and there are good hockey games – and this one was one of the best that I’ve seen in a while. The game was fast-paced and filled with skilled players doing skillful things. Perhaps that’s what one would expect from two high-flying teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
No one should have been disappointed.
Related: Oilers Time Ticking Away in the NHL North Division
The Game’s Result
In the end, the Oilers beat the Maple Leafs in overtime. I don’t care which team you were rooting for during this game, you should have enjoyed the game. It was perfect that it went to overtime, and it was perfect that the great Connor McDavid scored his second goal of the game on a rush with his skilled partner Leon Draisaitl less than a minute into the extra period.
Draisaitl’s pass was perfect, and McDavid – who never really seems out of control – almost looked as if he might not get to it, but after he sped past his defender he was open for a tip in.
Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett noted, ”Every game against Toronto’s been a real competitive game. It’s a bounce here or there or a save here or there or capitalizing on a chance here or there.”
For the Oilers?
Other than McDavid, the other goal scorers for the Oilers were Dominik Kahun and Josh Archibald. Goalie Mikko Koskinen played better than the score sheet would suggest by stopping 26 shots and letting in three goals. And, the Oilers’ record is now 4-6-0. Draisaitl and former Maple Leafs player Tyson Barrie each scored two assists.
For the Maple Leafs?
The goal scorers for the Maple Leafs were Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Zach Hyman. Maple Leafs’ captain John Tavares added two assists on the night; and, similar to his Oilers’ counterpart, Frederik Andersen also played better than the score sheet would probably suggest by making 27 saves and letting in four goals.
The Maple Leafs lost the game, but gained a point on the Montreal Canadiens who lost for the first time this season in regulation 2-0 to the Calgary Flames. The Maple Leafs now lead the NHL’s North Division with a 7-2-1 record.
Maple Leafs’ goal-scorer Matthews, whose team had come into this game after winning four games in a row, noted: ”It was a pretty positive road trip, taking three out of four, playing some good teams.”
Matthews added, ”When you’re playing the same team back-to-back twice in a row it’s hard to win twice.”
By the way, during this game Matthews scored a goal for the fifth straight game.
McDavid Scores a Simply Amazing Goal
In one of the best goals you’ll ever see, McDavid cuts through Maple Leafs to score an end-to-end goal. It was absolutely a head-shaking individual rush during regulation. The video below shows McDavid goes coast-to-coast to score a powerplay goal against the Maple Leafs.
As the video suggests, McDavid was given the puck in his own end on a power play with his team up 2-1 during the second period. Picking up speed as he progressed up the ice and through the entire Maple Leafs team, he eluded defenders as if they were standing still. Finally, McDavid tipped a forehand shot into a tiny corner while Andersen was moving across the crease. Simply beautiful.
McDavid’s new teammate Tyson Barrie noted: ”That’s just what he does. He’s been doing it since he came into the league. Just an incredible play from an incredible player.”
Barrie, who got an assist on the goal, simply passed the puck to McDavid far into Edmonton’s end of the ice – could it have been the easiest assist he’s even gotten?
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Rielly, Tavares, Marner, Andersen
The Entire Game Was Great: See the Highlights Here
Just in case you missed this game, I’ve included the game’s highlights in the video below. Enjoy.
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