EDMONTON, AB - With the score tied late in the third period of Thursday's home opener against the Boston Bruins, there came a turning point five minutes from the buzzer.
Right wing Tobias Rieder was nabbed for a tripping penalty on Bruins forward David Backes, giving the opposition's potent power play an opportunity to steal the game if not for a timely and successful penalty kill from the Oilers.
The rest, with Leon Draisaitl's fifth-career overtime winner, was history. The Bruins finished the night 0-for-3 with the man advantage, while the Oilers were able to add a power-play goal on two opportunities.
Oilers centre Ryan Strome, who played 1:41 on the penalty kill on Thursday, spoke to the ability of special teams coming up with crucial contributions early this season, helping the club string together three-straight victories against playoff-ready teams.
"Timely contributions are one thing," Strome said following Friday's practice at Rogers Place. "It's early in the year, the numbers are going to be skewed a little bit, but I think in each game we've had some timely penalty kills, and to have one in the last five minutes against a good power play in Boston is a good confidence-builder.
BLOG: Special teams providing timely contributions
"In each game we've had some timely penalty kills, and to have one in the last five minutes against a good power play in Boston is a good confidence-builder," Oilers centre Ryan Strome said.
