Goalie Dustin Tokarski made 33 saves to back the Buffalo Sabers in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.
The Oilers celebrated just after the two-minute mark of the game when defender Darnell Nurse’s shot from a bad angle came in behind Tokarski, but video replay showed the puck never crossed the line.
A few minutes later, Arttu Ruotsalainen of the Sabers finished off with a shot that passed Oilers goalkeeper Stuart Skinner. Once again, the referees reviewed the play and determined that Ruotsalainen’s stick was above the height of the crossbar, without a goal.
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Buffalo forward Anders Bjork beat Skinner on a breakaway early in the second period.
“Obviously, we have to do a better job in front of him (Skinner), limit those great opportunities. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. We just have to be a little more solid in front of him. “
Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl responded with power play goals 2:49 clear to put the Oilers up 2-1.
Sabers forward Dylan Cozens stormed after an Oilers fumble and tied 2-2 with 6:04 left in the second.
Buffalo Sabers center Dylan Cozens (24) carries the puck during the first period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Buffalo, NY
AP Photo / Jeffrey T. Barnes
Cozens struck again in the final minute of the period, cleaning up the rebound after Vinnie Hinostroza was stopped on a breakaway.
“We allow them to score easy goals. said head coach Dave Tippett. “We chase the game the entire game. We made an effort there, but we just didn’t play very smart. “
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With just over six minutes left on the clock in the third, Oilers captain Connor McDavid had a shot just up front. However, he was unable to lift the puck over Tokarski.
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) carries the puck past Buffalo Sabers center Dylan Cozens (24) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Buffalo, NY
AP Photo / Jeffrey T. Barnes
Tokarski later came up with saves on Jesse Puljujarvi and Draisaitl one-timers.
The Oilers kept the pressure on with Skinner on the bench for an additional attacker in the final two minutes, but couldn’t tie it.
The Oilers had 14 shots on goal in the final eight minutes of the game.
“It is disappointing that we played the way we did to allow them the opportunities that they had. Tippett said.
Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two assists, giving him 17 for the season. You have yet to score.
The Oilers (10-3) will play in St. Louis on Sunday. The game is at 630 CHED with The face-to-face show at 3:30 pm The game starts at 5 pm
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