Sam Ganger scored a tying goal in the third period, and Smith made 28 saves for Edmonton (32-21-7), which leads the Pacific Division. The Oilers were without center Connor McDavid (quad) for a fifth consecutive game, and defenseman Oscar Klefbom (shoulder), James Neal (foot) and Zack Kassian (suspended).
"It's a valuable point for us, but I think the thing we want to learn from that game is to have a little swagger early on, making plays and having confidence with it in the first period would have set us up a little better," Gagner said. "We clawed our way to a point, and there is a lot to like about the last two periods and the way we played against a really good team. We'll take the point and keep pushing forward."
Patrice Bergeron scored at 8:28 of the first period to give Boston a 1-0 lead. He took a pass from Brad Marchand in front and made a move around Smith.
"Anytime you're missing some key players and there are guys that are called up, it's a big opportunity for them and you know they're going to play a simple game and they're going to play a hard game and that's what we got tonight," Bergeron said. "We played them in Boston (a 4-1 loss Jan. 4) it was the same kind of hockey, and it was no surprise they played well, and ultimately we got the extra point."
