Mike Smith-led Oilers blank Canadiens

[February 12, 2021]  Darnell Nurse scored for the fifth time in six games, Mike Smith worked his 40th career shutout and the Edmonton Oilers blanked the host Montreal Canadiens 3-0 on Thursday.

Jujhar Khaira and Tyson Barrie scored, and Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid returned to the scoresheet with an assist for the Oilers, who won their third straight overall and sixth in their last seven games.

The high-scoring Draisaitl and McDavid both had 10-game point streaks snapped in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Senators but had helpers on Barrie's tally.

After allowing just one goal in his season debut against Ottawa on Monday, Smith moved to 2-0-0 by stopping all 38 shots to hand Montreal its second shutout.

Backup Jake Allen allowed three goals on 31 shots for the Canadiens, who netted two goals or less for the fourth straight game and dropped consecutive contests for the first time.

A few hours before the scheduled 7 p.m. ET start, the puck-drop on the third meeting between the clubs was delayed one hour due to a COVID protocol issue on Edmonton's side.

Forward Jesse Puljujarvi was removed from the ice by the training staff during practice, but the game resumed a few hours later with James Neal on the first line playing right wing beside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid.

Puljujarvi was added to the COVID protocol list, but the Oilers managed to conduct additional testing in a timely manner and face Montreal for the third time.

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) plays the puck and Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Tatar (90) defends during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

A pass by Edmonton's Josh Archibald through Jeff Petry's skates on a two-on-one ended with Khaira firing just inside the near post for his second goal at 8:27 for the first period's only tally.

In the second period, Montreal defenseman Shea Weber attempted to clear away a puck near the crease, but it struck teammate Phillip Danault and bounced back toward the goal. Weber attempted to bat it in mid-air but clipped a piece of the puck and put it in at 1:27.

Nurse was credited with the marker, tying him with Petry for the NHL's lead among defensemen with six.

After Josh Anderson's double-minor for roughing Oilers rookie William Lagesson, Barrie cashed in on the visitors' third power play by sizzling in a rocket from near the blue line for a 3-0 edge at 4:44.

The 38-year-old Smith made 14 saves in the third period to shut out Montreal for the first time in his career.

--Field Level Media
 

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