Oilers roll over Maple Leafs in 1-0 win

Payback is sweet.

The Edmonton Oilers began their long six-game road trip by blanking the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 Saturday night. Evan Bouchard’s second-period blast was all Edmonton needed. Devon Levi continued to perform well, picking up his first-ever shutout with the Oilers.

“Playing hockey is so much fun right now,” said Edmonton’s young goalie in a post-game interview with Sportsnet.

On hockey’s biggest stage, the Oilers suffocated Toronto’s offence to avenge a defeat three weeks earlier. Connor McDavid and the Oilers’ Toronto crew were flying; they wanted this game badly. McDavid, Bouchard, Zach Hyman, Alex Formenton, and Jason Dickinson are all from Southern Ontario. Each one of them had an extra step last night.

The Oilers’ skaters followed head coach Mike Babcock’s plan, and Levi was there to bail out the team if needed. All four lines were going; there weren’t any passengers last night. The top line with McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Vasily Podkolzin hemmed the Leafs in their zone on numerous occasions. The second line didn’t have many offensive chances, but they checked well. On an even more positive note, the third and fourth lines checked really well.

Kasperi Kapanen spoke about the team’s commitment to defence, “Everyone expects us to score five, six goals a game, having Connor, Leo & Bouchie… I think that goes to show we can defend well too & Leavs is playing phenomenally.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins agreed with his teammate.

“I thought we were working; we were winning battles, making sure not to give them anything easy,” he said. “If any breakdown happened, Dev was there for us.”

Devon Levi didn’t have to be spectacular, but he was there for his team. He is now 9-1 with the Oilers, posting a .906 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average, transforming the team into a dangerous foe.

Levi was gracious after the game, praising his teammates.

“It feels good… Since I was a kid, been thinking about getting a shutout in the NHL… The guys played unbelievably… Super proud of the guys & that they were able to do that for me.”

Babcock was happy the team could help get Levi his first shutout.

“Being a goaltender in the league is a difficult position & getting your confidence & your shutout is all part of that. He’s been good for us & we’re happy to celebrate that with him.” 

Throughout the game, Edmonton had its chances to score. McDavid was on a mission, and his line had several good looks. Eventually, Bouchard needed only one chance. Draisaitl kept the puck in the zone, and then McDavid set up the NHL’s best defenceman for his legendary Bouchbomb. Good night, Toronto.