Michael Hutchinson stopped 31 shots for his sixth career shutout, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Monday night.
Morgan Rielly and William Nylander each had a goal and an assist, and Zach Hyman also scored for Toronto. The Maple Leafs blanked Edmonton for the second straight game, following a 4-0 win Saturday.
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Michael Hutchinson stopped 31 shots for his sixth career shutout, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Monday night.
The teams meet again Wednesday night in Edmonton to finish a three-game series.
A power-play strike rounded out the first-period scoring after Edmonton’s Adam Larsson was called for hooking. Rielly fired a shot from near the blue line and, while Koskinen got a piece of it, he couldn’t control the puck and it dribbled through his legs and over the goal line, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Toronto was without Auston Matthews for a second straight game as the team’s star center recovers from a wrist injury. Matthews — who has 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) on the season — is travelling with the team and took part in an optional skate with his teammates on Monday.
ROSTER MOVE
Edmonton Oilers' Adam Larsson (6) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Alex Barabanov (94) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Tyson Barrie (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Joe Thornton (97) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Mikko Koskinen started in goal for the Oilers and allowed three goals on 10 shots before being replaced by Mike Smith to start the second period. Smith had 13 saves in relief.
Edmonton Oilers' Tyson Barrie (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
The teams meet again Wednesday night in Edmonton to finish a three-game series.
Toronto’s first shot of the night didn’t come until 7:19 into the first period, but it was worth the wait as Rielly put a pass on Hyman’s tape and the forward sent a nifty backhanded shot past Koskinen to give the Leafs a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Nylander got the puck off a faceoff and streaked deep into the Edmonton zone. He sailed a backhander over Koskinen’s glove and into the top-left corner of the net.
Edmonton Oilers' Tyson Barrie (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
A power-play strike rounded out the first-period scoring after Edmonton’s Adam Larsson was called for hooking. Rielly fired a shot from near the blue line and, while Koskinen got a piece of it, he couldn’t control the puck and it dribbled through his legs and over the goal line, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Oilers had ample opportunities to claw out a goal in the third period, outshooting the Leafs 13-8 across the frame, but couldn’t beat Hutchinson. The 31-year-old goalie’s last shutout came on Jan. 4, 2020, when he led Toronto to a 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders.
STILL SIDELINED
Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto was without Auston Matthews for a second straight game as the team’s star center recovers from a wrist injury. Matthews — who has 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) on the season — is travelling with the team and took part in an optional skate with his teammates on Monday.
POWER PLAYS
The Leafs came into the game with the league’s top-ranked power play, having capitalized on 32.4 per cent of their chances with the maantage. Toronto was 1 for 4 on the power play Monday. Edmonton failed to capitalize on any of its four chances.
Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard (75) chases Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
ROSTER MOVE
Earlier on Monday, the Oilers claimed goalie Alex Stalock off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.
MILESTONE
Toronto D Jake Muzzin played in his 600th career game.
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Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen (19) is scored on as Toronto Maple Leafs Joe Thornton (97) and Ethan Bear (74) battle in front during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Adam Larsson (6) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Alex Barabanov (94) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Tyson Barrie (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Joe Thornton (97) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, March 1, 2021. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)