Montreal Canadiens head West for match up with the Edmonton Oilers

What better way for the Montreal Canadiens to prepare for the playoffs than facing the Edmonton Oilers.

Connor McDavid (23-54-77 in 55 games) and Leon Draisaitl (45-47-92 in 61 games ) continue to be the two-headed monster for the Oilers, and the engine that powers. This season, just like every season since the pair started with the Oilers, they are game-planned for. But that doesn't seem to do a lot, judging by the fact that they will likely finish in the top five for scoring.

The Canadiens called on Samuel Montembeault for the start between the pipes, so the 28-year-old will play his 47th game of the season. I expect that number will be lower next year, as you don't want to go into the playoffs with an overworked goaltender.

In a pressure cooker like the journey to the Stanley Cup, depth reigns superior in most cases. Because it's such a grind, having a healthy goaltender is crucial. Anyway, in Samuel, Martin St. Louis trusts.

Onto the game

Cole Caufield had the Habs' first shot nearly 4 minutes into the game, and got all of it. Nick Suzuki, unsurprisingly hit Caufield with a crisp tape-to-tape pass. But Stuart Skinner spoiled the strong effort.

Five minutes in the Habs' trail Edmonton 4-1 in the shot category. But the game remains scoreless.

Christian Dvorak nearly matched the Oilers shot total, collecting his rebound to register two shots in one sequence. But nothing to get excited about has happened to this point.

As of the 12-minute mark, shots are tied 5-5, but the Canadiens have held the Oilers' stars to just one shot combined.

Unfortunately, Montembeault and the Canadiens conceded the first goal of the contest, on a great finish by Corey Perry. Formerly No. 94 for the Canadiens, a few years back, Perry has found a home with the Oilers, after uncertainty with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The veteran, drafted during the first round, 28th overall in 2003 by the Anaheim Ducks, has posted 14-8-22 in 60 games, and just under a period of play. 'The Worm' as many have called him, continues to be an impactful player at the ripe age of 39.

Montreal has played a tight checking game to this point

Brendan Gallagher took an awful high sticking penalty against Draisaitl, the last guy, maybe second to last that you want on the power play against you. Gallagher is going to have a very uncomfortable sit in the box, watching No. 97 and 29 go to work.

With 43 seconds remaining on the first penalty, Alexandre Carrier was given a two minute minor for high stick on Oilers forward Zach Hyman. Oilers will have a short five on three advantage, and then just over a minute at five on four.

The Canadiens are playing a dangerous game, making their lives difficult because of a lack of discipline. Gallagher grabbed a hold of the puck, and that new dad energy pushed him to burn 15 seconds of the penalty by himself. Signing Jake Evans was indicative of him wanting to stay, but the extension being offered shows a commitment to being strong on both sides of the puck up front.

Presumably using the momentum from Gallagher's heroic penalty killing, and the Habs staying down just 1-0, Caufield took matters into his own hands. He broke into the offensive zone, and fired a shot off Skinner's pad. Before Skinner could react, Caufield pounced on the rebound and fired it into the net for his 31st goal of the season.

Caufield now has a goal in four consecutive games, and has tied the game up for the Canadiens. About two minutes later, Caufield was on the doorstep, and had a golden opportunity off a Mike Matheson point shot rebound. It bounced over his stick at the last possible second, however, Caufield was noticeably frustrated.

The worm tried to provoke Jayden Struble, but the Canadiens' abrasive defenseman handled himself well, drawing a penalty against the veteran. Perry looked like a lumberjack swinging his twig at Stuble's hands. Canadiens to the power play, and they will finish the period that way.

Edmonton survived the Habs onslaught, heading to intermission with the game tied 1-1.

Second Period

50 seconds into the period, and the Canadiens are off to the penalty kill. They were given a bench minor for too many men on the ice. Gallagher will serve the penalty for the Canadiens. Again, it's like playing with fire, with gasoline-soaked matches in your hand.

The fire blew up in the Habs' face, Evan Bouchard walked the blueline, and threaded a pass to Draisaitl, who used a Hyman screen to beat Montembeault for his league leading 46th goal of the year. The Oilers regained their lead 01:06 into the period.

Although the Oilers have the lead, the Canadiens don't seem very phased by it, leading the Oilers in shots 12-11 through 15:10.

The masked men haven't been tested much through the first 27 minutes of the game, but Skinner and Montembeault have put together a solid game to this point.

Over the next five minutes, the clubs traded chances - Montreal four shots, and Edmonton three.

On the Canadiens 16th shot, Joel Armia sniped a wrister past Skinner, for his 11th goal of the season. Evans drew the primary assist, his 17th of the season. And Lane Hutson recorded his 45th assist, and 49th point.

With 09:41 on the clock, the teams are tied up again. It hasn't been an overly physical game, both teams have tried to create speed through the neutral zone and get to the middle of the ice.

It's been a quiet second period, with the most significant thing to happen being the Canadiens penalty for too many men on the ice 50 seconds into the period.

2:22 remains on the clock in a 1-1 tie, and the Oilers have the slight shot edge 20-19.

Third Period

The Oilers started the period with the puck, but just before the period was two minutes old, the Canadiens top line had the Oilers hemmed in their zone. Suzuki attempted a wraparound, and was tripped up before he could shoot the puck. Evan Bouchard heads to the sin bin.

Hutson made a rare turnover at the Oilers' blueline, and Mattias Janmark took off to the races, Montembeault, however, bailed out his defenseman.

The Habs' second power play unit has jumped over the boards, and Suzuki remains out there, with Armia noticeably not. Edmonton killed off the penalty, but the Habs came short of another goal, with Darnell Nurse nearly putting the puck in his net.

After 50 minutes of play the game remains tied, and the Oilers lead in shots 27-23.

Caufield is a player that I always have my eye on, but with Montreal looking for a hero, he feels like a good choice. The Habs 5'8" sniper has directed seven shots towards Skinner, with four getting through. Emil Heineman is another guy who has played a heavy game, and challenged McDavid on several occasions tonight.

I would love to hear McDavid's thoughts on Heineman, who looks like an absolute steal from the Calgary Flames.

Montembeault was down and out, and the Oilers have the puck, McDavid in fact, but the puck stayed out of the net.

The Canadiens survived the final two minutes of the game, with Edmonton making a hard push, but Montembeault has done some great work tonight.

60 minutes solved nothing, so the combattants are headed to three on three overtime.

Overtime

Montreal started with Dvorak, Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier, and the Oilers iced a trio of McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard to start the overtime period. Weird decision by Marty.

Matheson is weird in that he can grab the puck and chug down the ice with it, and create a great scoring chance. Or try to do way too much, and then turn the puck over. There is no in between with this guy.

McDavid did what he does, and created extra time and space with his skating. Then he made a briliant cross-crease pass to Bouchard, Slafkovsky's man, who made no mistake icing the Canadiens. Montreal earned one point to help them in their wildcard push.