Auston Matthews scores in OT to lift Maple Leafs past Oilers
Matthews #Matthews
March 27, 2021Updated: March 27, 2021 9:15 p.m.
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1of7Edmonton Oilers right wing Josh Archibald (15) runs into Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell (36) while chasing the puck during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 2of7Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) makes a dive for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 3of7Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) pokes the puck away from Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner (16) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 4of7Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on as the puck flies between him and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl (3) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 5of7Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) makes a save during first period NHL hockey game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 6of7Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) is congratulated by teammates Connor McDavid (97) and Darnell Nurse (25) after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less 7of7Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell (36) makes a save during first-period NHL hockey game action against the Edmonton Oilers in Toronto, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)Frank Gunn/APShow MoreShow Less
TORONTO (AP) — Auston Matthews scored 54 seconds into overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
Matthews fired the puck towards the net that it went off Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse and got past goalie Mike Smith. Matthews broke a tie with Oilers star Connor McDavid for the NHL goals lead with his 22nd. The Toronto star also had an assist.
Toronto overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period, with John Tavares cutting it to open with 7:39 left and William Nylander tying it with 3:22 remaining.
Pierre Engvall also scored, and Jack Campbell made 17 saves to help North-leading Toronto win its third straight and improve to 22-10-2.
Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists for Edmonton, Tyson Barrie added a goal and an assist against his former team, and Nurse also scored. Mike Smith made 27 saves. McDavid had two assists to push his NHL-best points total to 62.
The teams will complete the two-game set and the nine-game season series Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The Oilers played for the first time in a week after their three-game series in Montreal was postponed when two members of the Canadiens were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Monday.