Some wins just sit better than others. Saturday at Rogers Place, the Oilers grinded out a 4–2 victory over the Ducks, and like most games, it offered both reasons to smile and reasons to worry.
Two Positives from the Oilers Perspective
Oilers Positive One: Connor McDavid Did McDavid Things
Connor McDavid, of course, was the centrepiece. A goal and two assists matter, but it’s more than the numbers. His second-period goal came after he corralled a bouncing puck off Evan Bouchard’s point shot and tipped it past Lukas Dostal midair. It was pure McDavid.
That sequence flipped a regular shift into a highlight and underscored why Edmonton trusts McDavid in crunch time. Toss in Hyman’s goal and assist and Savoie scoring for the third straight game, and the offence stops feeling like it’s being carried by one line — it’s starting to click.
Oilers Positive Two: The Oilers’ Depth Players Stepped Up
It wasn’t only the headline players for Edmonton. Bouchard registered two assists, and Savoie is emerging as a consistent offensive option. The odd-man rushes, smart passes into the slot, and accurate five-hole or glove-side finishes are the tiny details that convert good nights into consecutive wins. Winning three straight may not be huge, but it’s rare for this team this season — depth like that matters.
Two Negatives from the Oilers Perspective
Oilers Negative One: The Oilers Suffered Defensive Lapses
Still, the Ducks weren’t dead in the water. Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke scored on point shots that snuck through traffic or found seams in front, and even with Connor Ingram turning aside 27 shots, Edmonton had stretches where clearing the puck looked tougher than it should have.
Those lapses didn’t cost them tonight, but in tighter games, they could come back to haunt them.
Oilers Negative Two: The Oilers Let the Ducks Back In
By the third period, Edmonton had built a 3-0 lead. But then they let the Ducks back within one, 3-2. It was a reminder that the Pacific Division race isn’t sealed. Too many giveaways in transition, plus relying on Ingram to bail the team out, isn’t sustainable when the Ducks are just a few points behind.
The Bottom Line for the Oilers
The Oilers ‘ offence was sharp. McDavid carried the team. The Oilers’ depth is starting to chip in reliably. Those are all good points. That said, the Oilers’ defensive lapses and a brief Ducks resurgence remind you the Oilers aren’t untouchable.
Still, three wins in a row are something to build on — especially for a team chasing a division crown.
Related: What Could Matt Savoie’s Next Contract Look Like?
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