EDMONTON, Alberta — Chris Tanev picked a perfect time to score his first NHL goal.
Tanev scored at 4:40 of overtime, and the Vancouver Canucks rallied for their season-high third straight victory, 3-2 over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.
Tanev beamed after he finally scored a goal in his 63rd NHL game.
“It took a while, but I’m happy I was able to get it," he said as he teammates chanted his name in the dressing room. “There was a little give-and-go, and all their guys were watching them.
“I was able to come in off the blue line and I shot it. I think one of our guys screened the goalie and it went in. I’m pretty happy."
Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault was thrilled to see the 23-year-old defenseman scored his first goal in such clutch fashion.
“He’s a young player who has been with us for quite some time now," he said. “For him to get that goal at the time that he did to win was very good for the whole group. Everybody was really happy for him."
With just 2:17 remaining in regulation, and the Oilers holding a 2-1 lead, the Canucks tied it with a long shot from Kevin Bieksa that beat goalie Devan Dubnyk stick-side and forced overtime.
Taylor Hall was awarded a penalty shot for the Oilers with 2:47 gone in OT, after he was hooked down by Daniel Sedin on a breakaway, but Hall was stopped by Roberto Luongo, who finished with 23 saves.
Jannik Hansen also scored in regulation for the Canucks (5-2-2), who extended their lead atop the Northwest Division.
Also on Monday:
Coyotes 2
Wild 1
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mike Smith stopped 21 shots, Lauri Korpikoski and Martin Hanzal both scored, and Phoenix extended its point streak to five games with a win over Minnesota.
Stars 3
Avalanche 2
DENVER — Jamie Benn scored his first two goals of the season, and Dallas beat Colorado, spoiling the night for Milan Hejduk as the Avalanche forward was honored for playing in his 1,000th NHL game.
Hurricanes 4
Maple Leafs 1
TORONTO — Jordan Staal scored his first goal with the Hurricanes, and his brother Eric added the winner in Carolina’s victory over Toronto.
Ducks 2
Sharks 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Saku Koivu scored the tying goal early in the third period, defenseman Sheldon Souray netted the winner with 6:39 left, and rookie Viktor Fasth made 25 saves as Anaheim handed San Jose its first regulation loss of the season.
