Edmonton Oilers Fall Hard To Last-Place Toronto Maple Leafs And Their Rookie Goalie

The Edmonton Oilers visited the Toronto Maple Leafs, the last-placed team in the Eastern Conference, on Monday night and ended November on a sour note after being shut out 3-0 by Toronto, which had decided to play its rookie goalie, Garret Sparks. Following Monday’s victory, Sparks became the first goalie in Leafs history to secure a shut-out in his first NHL game.

The weak Oilers were only able to take 8 shots in each period. The team’s power-play also got outshot 2-1 on three separate occasions. The Leafs were able to generate multiple scoring chances, and netted the game-winning goal on a power-play.

The Oilers also counted a number of injuries, including prospective defenseman Brandon Davidson, who exited the game early in the third period due to an injury. Oscar Klefbom also left the game after taking a puck to the face, but was alright to return in the closing minutes. Taylor Hall brought the most aggressive physical game for the Oilers, and Teddy Purcell contributed to 4 scoring opportunities and 7 shot attempts.

This was the Oilers’ 7th loss in their last eight meetings with Toronto dating back to 2011. They now hold a 8-15-2 record overall.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers is stopped on a break by Garret Sparks #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Air Canada Centre on November 30, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 3-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena