Oilers stifle Maple Leafs in 3-1 triumph
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[January 21, 2021]
Leon Draisaitl's first goal of
the season proved to be the game-winner as the Edmonton Oilers
recorded a 3-1 road victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on
Wednesday night.
After Auston Matthews equalized for Toronto with a goal at 6:44 of
the third period, the Maple Leafs' momentum was curtailed less than
a minute later by a Jake Muzzin tripping penalty.
On the ensuring Edmonton power play, Draisaitl capitalized to put
Edmonton ahead for good. It was a much-needed power-play goal for
the Oilers, who have only three goals in 21 chances this season with
the extra attacker.
Kailer Yamamoto and Josh Archibald also scored for Edmonton, which
snapped a two-game losing streak. Archibald's was an empty-net tally
with 66 seconds remaining in the game.
After posting a 3.80 goals-against average in his first four games
of the season, Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen stopped 25 of 26
Toronto shots for his second victory.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2021/Jan/21/images/ads/current/farmers_bank_sda_LUAL_2015.png)
Koskinen's performance highlighted an overall solid defensive showing
for the Oilers, as they held the high-powered Leafs attack in check for
much of the game.
Toronto's offense didn't show much spark until a power-play opportunity
late in the second period. The Maple Leafs had five shots during the
power play, with Wayne Simmonds also firing a shot off the post for
Toronto's best chance of the first 40 minutes.
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![](../images/012121pics/nhl%20maple%20leafs_small.jpg)
Edmonton Oilers forward
Connor McDavid (97) cuts between Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik
Andersen (31) and defenseman Jake Muzzin (8) in the first period at
Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
At 10:42 of the first period, Yamamoto took advantage of a pair of
fortunate bounces for his second goal of the season.
During a puck battle behind the net, Yamamoto sent the puck in front
for a deflection off the stick of Leafs forward Jimmy Vesey. The
puck went from Vesey's stick to Muzzin's skate and into the net for
a hard-luck Toronto concession.
Matthews took advantage of a turnover for his goal, skating along
the red line and squeezing a shot in a narrow space between Koskinen
and the goal post.
Joe Thornton didn't return to the game after taking a body check
from Archibald at 2:42 of the third period. Thornton sustained an
apparent hand/wrist injury and was in discomfort on the Toronto
bench.
The two teams play again in Toronto on Friday.
--Field Level Media
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