Teddy Purcell stole the final spotlight with an electrifying overtime goal, but it was all about two fantastic lines in Wednesday’s Anaheim - Edmonton thriller.
The Ducks and Oilers saw great work from their top trios on Wednesday, although to some extent, Anders Nilsson was the true difference in a 4-3 OT win.
It’s not just that Nilsson generated a bucketful of saves; he also kept the puck alive during the overtime sequence that eventually resulted in Purcell’s clincher, which you can watch in the video above.
Let’s not ignore the contributions of each big combo.
Ryan-Nugent Hopkins: one goal, one assist; Leon Draisaitl: one goal, two assists; Taylor Hall: one assist.
Corey Perry: two goals; Rickard Rakell: two assists; Ryan Getzlaf didn’t score.
This was a 1-1 contest heading into the third period before the fireworks really began.
For the Ducks, this is yet another night of frustration. This is the second 4-3 overtime loss in a row for Anaheim.
Horcoff: "I thought we played exactly like we wanted to, but a couple of breakdowns in front cost us. Those are games we need." #EDMvsANA
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 12, 2015
On the Oilers’ end, they get a reward for continued hard work. It’s also a reminder that Connor McDavid wasn’t the only guy who was producing big offense for Edmonton.
It also may be a signal that Draisaitl is for real.
.@EdmontonOilers' Leon Draisaitl (@Drat_29) posted 1-2—3 and now has 4-6—10 in 6 GP this season. He collected 2-7—9 in 2014-15 (37 GP).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 12, 2015