Edmonton, Alberta – In the end, old-school wins Stanley Cup Finals games in the new NHL. Ryan Smyth’s game-winning goal for the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night was proof positive.
Smyth, already the most popular member of the team before Game 3 of the series against the Carolina Hurricanes, sent the deafening Rexall Place crowd to sonic boom level with a goal that can best be described as being willed into the net.
The goal with 2:15 left in the third period broke a tie and gave the Oilers a 2-1 victory. The win gets the Oilers back in the best-of-seven series, with Carolina holding a 2-1 lead. Game 4 is here Monday night.
Smyth never put his stick on the winning goal, sort of nudging it in with his leg or hip on a rebound of a shot by teammate Ales Hemsky. Standing in front of the net, as is his custom, Smyth got the puck past goalie Cam Ward with enough body language to induce chants of, “Smitty, Smitty.”
The mullet-wearing Smyth, missing three teeth from a puck to the face earlier in the playoffs, pumped his fist after the goal withstood a video review.
“When we need a big goal, it’s usually Smitty,” said Oilers teammate Jarret Stoll. “He’s the heart and soul of this team, and he finds ways to get it done.”
It was uncertain whether Smyth, the Oiler with the longest tenure – since 1995 – would be effective in the faster-paced NHL. But the left wing from Banff, Alberta, had another solid season with 36 goals, and his game-winner was his sixth goal of the playoffs and 15th point in 20 games.
“It was a vintage Ryan Smyth goal,” Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said. “It couldn’t have been prettier in our estimation. He got to the net and just had the composure in that situation to stand in there.”
Smyth called his goal a “fortunate bounce” and credited linemate Hemsky for forcing the play on net.
“He made a good shot on net and the puck kind of came loose, and it kind of bounced in off me,” Smyth said.
Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette saw things differently.
“Watching it on replay, there was a man in the crease, interference on the goaltender and the puck went in the net,” Laviolette said.
But NHL vice president of hockey operations Mike Murphy, serving as the game’s video replay judge, ruled the goal good.
The Oilers will try to even the series with the same style they used effectively in Game 3. Namely, a more physical style against Carolina’s top forwards, including veteran Rod Brind’Amour, whose goal midway through the third period tied the game 1-1.
“In front of their net, they did a real good job of getting stick on stick, stick on puck (and) not making opportunities easy,” Laviolette said.
“When we did have some good quality chances in front, (Oilers goalie Jussi Markkanen) made big saves for them.”
Markkanen, playing in place of injured starter Dwayne Roloson, stopped 24-of-25 shots, including a breakaway to Justin Williams and a doorstop chance late against Brind’Amour.
“It feels great getting a win in this series, finally,” Markkanen said. “I think we deserved to win the game, but it was a tough game. They’re a very good team, and it’s going to be another big game Monday night. Hopefully, we can go back to Carolina all tied up.”
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
