Big nights from role players lift Leafs past Oilers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd March, 22:19 2024

Mar 23, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg (29) scores a goal past Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby McMann had two goals and an assist, Pontus Holmberg scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Saturday night.

William Nylander and Auston Matthews each added a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (40-20-9, 89 points), who have won two in a row. Timothy Liljegren and John Tavares added two assists each.

Matthews has a league-leading 58 goals after scoring into an empty net in the third period.

Ilya Samsonov made 31 saves until he was injured late in the third period. Martin Jones took over to make five saves.

Former Maple Leaf Zach Hyman scored his 49th goal of the season for Edmonton. Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl also scored. Connor McDavid added three assists and Evan Bouchard had two assists.

Stuart Skinner stopped 18 shots in two periods for the Oilers (42-22-4, 88 points). Calvin Pickard took over for the third period and made five saves.

The teams have split two games this season.

McMann scored his 12th goal of the season at 4:17 of the first period from the low slot after Tavares made a backhand pass from the end boards behind the goal. Nylander scored his 39th of the season, deflecting a shot by Liljegren at 18:14 of the first during a power play. Darnell Nurse was off for interference.

Holmberg tapped in his fifth goal this season at 8:02 of the second period on a pass from Max Domi.

Holmberg added another goal at 11:04 completing a three-on-one break.

McMann scored again at 15:46 of the second with a 26-footer from the right circle on Nylander's pass.

Hyman scored on a tip-in set up by McDavid at 4:59 of the third period during a power play. Conor Timmins was serving a penalty for delaying the game.

Perry tipped in Evander Kane's pass for his 10th goal of the season at 8:32 of the third during a power play. Connor Dewar was off for tripping.

With the goaltender removed for an extra attacker, Draisaitl scored his 36th of the season at 16:21 of the third. Jones replaced Samsonov after the goal.

Matthews scored into an empty net at 19:47.

Tyler Bertuzzi (illness) and Mitchell Marner (ankle) did not play for Toronto.

—Field Level Media