Edmonton Oilers: Three key takeaways from 5-3 win over Bruins

The Edmonton Oilers used a big third period to stun the Boston Bruins with a 5-3 victory at the TD Garden on Thursday night.

Despite trading goals early in the game, the Edmonton Oilers got back into the win column with a big 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. Here are three primary takeaways from the contest.

1. Quick responses to Bruins’ goals

The Bruins gained an early 1-0 lead after Derek Ryan made a poor pass in neutral ice. Patrice Bergeron intercepted the puck and found a streaking David Pastrnak, who beat Mikko Koskinen five-hole less than five minutes into the opening frame.

However, Evan Bouchard scored 44 seconds later on a great pass from Leon Draisaitl to tie the game.

Then after Brad Marchand put the Bruins back in front, Zach Hyman needed just 24 seconds to respond. Initially, it looked like it would be a much quicker response as Hyman’s first attempt ringed off the post.

“We competed way harder, all the way through our lineup we competed hard,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “We got behind quick, but the ability to get it right back again and not chase the game much was a big factor.

2. Draisaitil does it all

In addition to his great pass on Bouchard’s goal, Draistail intercepted an errant pass off Brandon Carlo’s stick right in front of the Boston net for an easy wrist shot to light the lamp.

The goal tied the game at three tallies apiece, with just over six minutes gone by in the final period.

The 26-year-old gave the Oilers their first lead of the game nearly three minutes later, with Cody Ceci finding him in the low slot for a tap-in.

Ceci would later make it a two-goal lead for the Oilers, backing the team’s fourth-best third-period goal differential mark coming into Thursday.

After the game, Draisaitl was nothing but complimentary of Ceci.

“Probably not the prettiest guy to watch, if that’s what you want to say, but he’s so effective and so good at what he does,” he said. “Especially for guys like that who work so hard and do the things that don’t get noticed all the time, it’s especially nice for him to get a goal and make a huge play on the game-winner. He’s not all D-zone and hard to play against. There’s lots of skill there too, and that’s great to see. We’re happy for him.”

Also, a quick note on Ceci, he should be good to go for Friday’s game after taking a puck to the ear.

3. Home cooking? Not anymore

The Boston Bruins came into this contest with a perfect 5-0-0 record on their home ice, but the Oilers put an end to that undefeated streak.  They were one of three teams yet to lose on their home turf, with Carolina and Florida also carrying spotless home records.

After a disappointing loss in Detroit on Tuesday, it was great to see the Oilers respond to every Boston goal before scoring three in the third period.

The Oilers are back at it on Friday in Buffalo, with puck drop set for 5 pm MT. Stuart Skinner is the likely starter in net.