First Period

The first period was a cure for the blahs the last two games have produced. This was fast hockey.

The goals:

The Oilers took two penalties, one a puck over glass, the other interference, and both Leafs power plays looked very good with a lot of movement and good chances.

Anthony Stolarz is still my favourite, though.

Score was 1 all after the first.

That is not Oilers-typical offence. Leafs getting a free pass to the net is also enjoyable.

Second Period

Possibly the worst period the Leafs have played all year, although in the final minutes they tried hard to turn it back into a two-team contest.

At the halfway point, they'd shot the puck four times after a full five minute major penalty kill and a shorter, unsuccessful kill.

The goal, which came while John Tavares was in the box for hooking:

The illegal check to the head by Ryan Reaves on Darnell Nurse:

Reaves got a match penalty, and the fact that these hits usually result in the player getting tossed is likely one reason why the usual suspension – at least two games, but not usually more than three to four games – is so low.

A suspension is inevitable, however.

The Leafs got a full run of power play time themselves, including a four on three. But it is hard to score against a team fuelled by rage, and the Oilers took the puck back after the Leafs power play and more or less kept it.

After two, it's 2-1 Oilers.

Third Period

Needless to say, Darnell Nurse was out of the rest of the game.

Ow.

Matt Knies tied the game by jumping on an errant puck.

Stolarz is still my favourite, but Knies is a close second.

Or maybe Bobby McMann?

To be honest, the Leafs were not playing great in this period. That's Hockey.

Stolarz made an epic series of important saves in the final minutes with Stuart Skinner out at the other end.

Leon Draisaitl tied it up:

After three, it was three all.

Once again, the Oilers owned the puck in the last five minutes of the period.

Overtime

Stolarz had to make a save on a Connor McDavid rush but MITCH MARNER with his 200th NHL goal won the game.

Man, I've loved watching Marner this year.

Game Coverage