SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Connor McDavid scored 31 seconds into overtime on a perfect pass from goalkeeper Mike Smith and the Edmonton Oilers rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 Tuesday night to add his fifth consecutive win.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied it with a shorthanded goal with 8:04 remaining in regulation before McDavid won it thanks to an assist from an unusual playmaker.
Smith stopped Brent Burns on a run early in overtime and immediately passed the puck to a running McDavid, who cornered him just past center ice and beat James Reimer for the winner. The goal extended McDavid’s scoring streak to 14 games, giving him 12 goals and 15 assists during the streak.
“Our goalie makes maybe the play of the year there with that save and having the presence of mind to shoot it there,” McDavid said. “Smitty plays the puck incredibly well. He was very good all night. For that to happen, it was very special to be a part of that play.”
The victory moved the Oilers into second place in the Pacific Division with a one-point lead over Los Angeles, although the Kings have a game to play. Edmonton is five points ahead of fourth-place Las Vegas in the division.
Smith made 31 saves to keep the Oilers in the game in regulation before helping win it in overtime.
“It looks like maybe we stole two here, but it doesn’t matter how you do it this time of year,” McDavid said.
Tomas Hertl scored a power play goal in the first period, but the Sharks couldn’t hold the lead and lost their fourth straight game. Reimer made 22 saves.
“We did everything we needed to do five on five,” coach Bob Boughner said. “That was one of our best and strongest games in a long time. A little history of our year. He beat a team, he had so many chances. Smith played very well and you can’t get that second goal you need.”
San Jose had a chance to increase the lead with the power play midway through the third period. But the top unit couldn’t generate and then the second unit let the Oilers tie it up when Nugent-Hopkins finished after nice passes from Darnell Nurse and Zach Hyman to the side of the net.
“I think our team showed a little bit of resilience,” coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I didn’t think it was our smoothest or cleanest game. But one down heading into the third period, finding a way to win in overtime in dramatic fashion. It’s a credit to our perseverance and the hard work of all those players in that locker room.”
San Jose capitalized on a power play in the first period when Brent Burns set up Hertl for a one-shot from the circle. Hertl beat out Smith for his 27th goal of the season.
SITTING
The Oilers played without 50-goal scorer Leon Draisaitl, who was absent a day after missing practice for what was called a “maintenance day.” Draisaitl participated in an optional skate on Tuesday morning, but was unable to participate in the game.
Draisaitl reached the 50-goal mark for the second time in his career on Sunday in Anaheim. He has a 12-game point streak with 12 goals and 10 assists in that span. His absence ends his streak of 354 consecutive starts that began on October 24, 2017.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
The Sharks played four rookies — forwards Jonah Gadjovich, Scott Reedy and Sasha Chmelevski, and defenseman Ryan Merkley — to give them 373 games played by rookies this season. That surpassed the 1992-93 and 2005-06 seasons for the second-most in franchise history at 491 games played by rookies in the 1991-92 expansion season.
KNOCKED OUT
Sharks forward John Leonard left the game early in the second period after blocking a shot with his foot and did not return.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Oilers: In Los Angeles on Thursday night.
Sharks: Host Calgary on Thursday night.
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