Bouchard’s OT goal lifts Oilers past Flyers 3-2

EDMONTON – Evan Bouchard scored 47 seconds into overtime Wednesday night to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, their third straight victory.

Leon Draisaitl set up the winner at Rogers Place. Bouchard’s 11th goal of the season is the most among NHL defencemen. Zach Hyman scored twice in regulation for Edmonton, and Tristan Jarry made 30 saves.

Connor McDavid assisted on Hyman’s second goal, extending his season-opening point streak to 20 games, the second 20-game streak of his career and a tie for his career high. McDavid leads the NHL with 49 points (11 goals, 38 assists).

The Oilers improved to 14-3-3. They are 12-0-2 when scoring first this season, and their start through 20 games matches the second-best in franchise history, according to the Canadian Press. The Flyers fell to 5-10-6 and have lost four of their past five.

Hyman opened the scoring at 4:13 of the second period when a shot from the point by defenceman Mattias Ekholm missed the net and bounced back to him. He made it 2-0 on the power play at 14:03, banging in a rebound of a McDavid shot.

Philadelphia cut the lead to 2-1 on the power play at 16:49 of the second, when Tyson Foerster scored on a pass from Owen Tippett. Travis Sanheim tied it 2-2 at 11:42 of the third period, taking the puck from the right wall, cutting in along the goal line and slipping it between Jarry’s pads. Edmonton challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood after a video review.

Vladar made 21 saves for the Flyers. Philadelphia outshot Edmonton 28-13 through the first two periods, according to NHL.com.

“Obviously we weren’t as ready as we should have been,” Oilers coach Mike Babcock said.

Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said his team deserved better. “They’re incredible players. You can keep them in check for so long and then they go and score the overtime goal,” Tocchet said.

Hyman said the Oilers are getting what they need in net. “The goalies are doing their jobs,” he said.

Flyers forward Noel Acciari left in the second period with an upper-body injury after tripping on Jarry’s stick and going hard into the boards. He did not return, and Tocchet had no update. Flyers defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen returned after missing seven games with an upper-body injury.

The Oilers beat the New York Rangers 3-1 in their previous game, in which Draisaitl scored twice. See our earlier story: Draisaitl scores twice as Oilers beat Rangers 3-1.

Edmonton plays at Toronto on Saturday night. Philadelphia visits Columbus the same night.

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Via NHL.com and The Canadian Press.