In a hard-fought game of playoff intensity, the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins clashed in a battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The Oilers ultimately emerged with the win in overtime, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 win against the Bruins.
From the opening puck drop, it was evident that this game would be a defensive game, with both teams showcasing tight checking and disciplined play. Opportunities were rare, and when chances did happen, goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Linus Ullmark stood tall, turning away scoring attempts with some spectacular saves.
Despite the defensive prowess on display, the Bruins scored first, as Pavel Zacha capitalized on a two-on-one opportunity with a one-timer that found the back of the net. A good sign is after this goal the Edmonton Oilers only seemed to pick up their play.
With time winding down in the third period, Leon Draisaitl rose to the occasion, unleashing a determined effort in front of the net to bury the equalizer with just 1:20 remaining on the clock. The goal came as no surprise as the Oilers have been dominating play since the Zacha goal.
As the game headed into overtime, both teams were hoping to leave the game with the extra point. It was Draisaitl who once again proved to be the hero for the Oilers, as the Draisaitl, McDavid, and Bouchard threesome once again came together with the overtime goal, securing the hard-earned victory.
With the win last night, the Edmonton Oilers have increased their lead on the Golden Knights and Kings. The Kings who had an OT loss last night have now tied the Golden Knights in points and have in game in hand. The Knights have picked a bad time to hit a rough patch. The West wildcard is a tight race where the Kings, Predators and the Knights all have 73 points.
Depending on how the rest of the season goes the Oilers could end up playing any of those three teams in the first round. The good news it appears the Oilers are safely sitting in a playoff spot and depending on how the season goes they still have a chance to win not only the Pacific Division but the whole Western Conference.