Goals in big moments lead Edmonton Oilers to win over Dallas Stars

Derek Ryan, with 1:18 left in the period, would score a shorthanded goal, and Matt Duchene would respond on the same power play opportunity, tying this one all up at three at the end of two.

The third period was much like the first: a solid defensive period, where both sides worked to find their way. So much so that this one would get sent to overtime. Wyatt Johnston would hook Draisaitl just 23 seconds into the extra frame, and you can guess what happened next.

Leon Draisaitl would feed Evan Bouchard, walking the blue line and freezing a Stars penalty killer before walking down and ripping the game-winner home.

“He’s been playing really well, and tonight was probably his best game I’ve seen him play in the last couple weeks,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. He’s very dangerous when he has the puck. We talk about his ability to fire the puck and getting the big bomb, those big heavy shots.

“A lot of his goals are just little sifters, wristers from the point and that last one, he makes a little move walking the line, freezes the forward and then rips a nice little wrist shot inside the post. Also, (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) was in front of the goalie and provided a really good screen in front. He’s able to get shots through like that.”

For Bouchard, his two-goal performance was a big one, as he not only set a career-high in markers with his first of the game, but added to it with his second.

But above it all, this was the kind of game the Oilers desperately needed. Coming off the backs of a disheartening performance where they were worked by the Blues, a team fighting to stay in the playoff mix. The Stars, meanwhile, are no slouch, leading the league in goals scored and looking dominant all season long. After all, they are right near the top of the NHL’s standings.

“I thought they responded very well,” said Knoblauch. “In the second period, Dallas started taking over and I thought we regrouped after the second, and play a really strong period in the third.

“A lot of credit to the guys, where we talked about how dangerous Dallas is off the rush and score a lot of goals that way. I thought we did a really good job on the forecheck, d-pinching when it was there, and when not to. Ultimately, the biggest thing is probably the forwards and how hard they worked back.”

Next up for the Oilers is a trip to Mullett Arena in Arizona to take on a Coyotes team who play infinitely better at home than on the road. Much like any night, the Oilers can’t afford to take this team lightly.