McDavid ties it late and Ekholm gives Oilers a 3-2 win over Bruins in OT

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Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins with Evan Bouchard (2) and Leon Draisaitl (29) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrates his overtime game-winning goal against Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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The Edmonton Oilers celebrate their overtime win against the Boston Bruins in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Boston Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov (91) and Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard (2) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) battles for the puck against Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after a goal against Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry (centre back) is checked by Boston Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov (91) and Charlie McAvoy (73) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck against Boston Bruins’ Trent Frederic (11) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman (18) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins with his teammates at the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid scored the tying goal with 2:21 remaining in regulation and Mattias Ekholm got the overtime winner as the Edmonton Oilers shook off a shoddy start Thursday night for a 3-2 victory against the Boston Bruins.

Just 1:04 into the extra period, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman made the initial save on Leon Draisaitl but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was there to grab the rebound and drop it back to Ekholm, who scored his fourth goal of the season.

Draisaitl had three assists to give him 900 career points.

Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist for the Oilers (19-11-2), who have won nine of 11.

Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic scored in the first period to give Boston (17-13-4) a 2-0 lead.

Stuart Skinner made 24 saves for the Oilers. Swayman stopped 23 shots.

Takeaways

Bruins: New forward Oliver Wahlstrom made his Bruins debut on the third line in place of Cole Koepke after being claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders this week. Wahlstrom, who is from the Boston area, had four points in 27 games with the Islanders this season.

Oilers: Hyman has eight goals in seven games since returning from injury. He wore a full face shield after sustaining a broken nose when he took a slap shot to the face Monday against Florida.

Key moment

McDavid tied it late in the third period when he cut in hard on the Boston net and deked before sliding in a backhand for his 15th goal. Draisaitl picked up his second assist, giving him multi-point games in seven straight.

Key stat

Boston won its previous four games in Edmonton, two in overtime and all four by one goal. The Oilers hadn’t beaten the Bruins at home in more than six years.

Up next

Bruins: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

Oilers: Host the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl