As 2024 came and went, the Edmonton Oilers had a lot to reflect on. They had another overall successful season, which, despite finishing one game short of the ultimate hockey glory, taught this team a lot about their identity, tenacity, and perseverance.
Heading into 2025, the Oilers were on a bit of a roll and were hoping to continue this in their first game of the new year. Their opponent—the Anaheim Ducks—was one of only four teams to hand Edmonton a loss in the month of December.
While this one was looking like another Anaheim comeback, the Oilers pushed back and gave it their all to ensure that, unlike last time, they would be the ones on the scoreboard late in the third period. What were our three takeaways from the Oilers’ 3–2 win over the Ducks? Let’s discuss below.
Leon Draisaitl’s incredible season
We are really spoiled as Edmonton Oilers fans. Not only do we get to witness the best player in the world on a nightly basis—Connor McDavid—but we also get to see one of the best players of our generation in Leon Draisaitl. Draistaitl certainly does not live in anyone’s shadow, and to suggest that would be ridiculous. But his clutch play, goal-scoring abilities, and puck possession are only helping him to continue carving out his own legacy as an unparalleled player.
The game against the Ducks was no different, as his dominant puck play along the boards helped the Oilers maintain the offensive zone pressure before he eventually took the redirected pass from Zach Hyman to put one in the back of the net and give the Oilers a late third-period 3–2 lead.
Draisaitl is currently leading the league in goals and second in total points, and his dominance with the puck is truly second to none. When all is said and done this season, I would be surprised if he does not bring home some individual accolades if he continues this level of play.
The Oilers showed perseverance in this win
The year 2024 taught Edmonton a lot about what it takes to put up a good fight. They have recovered from an awful start to the 2023–24 campaign, came back from multiple series deficits, and have turned this season around after another slow start. To summarize, Edmonton has learned a lot about perseverance.
This game was an example of this tenacity. Despite giving up a two-goal lead—the second consecutive game against the Ducks in which the Oilers have done so—they did not fall apart. Rather, they continued to push and were eventually rewarded late in the third period when Draisaitl sniped an absolutely lethal shot past Lukas Dostal.
While no Oilers fan would be upset about the Oilers playing dominant and winning their games by large margins if they could, it is experience and perseverance that make teams stand out come May and June. Games like this will do a lot for this Edmonton team in developing their identity.
Evan Bouchard records 200th NHL point
Evan Bouchard may have wanted to forget a chunk of this game after poorly handling a Connor Brown pass that led to a Ducks breakaway goal. Instead, he will now remember it for being the one where he collected his 200th NHL point.
Bouchard came into the league with hefty expectations. Joining a franchise with an unsteady defensive backbone as a top-10 pick, Bouchard has continued to grow and has become one of the best defencemen in the league.
The opportunities to play alongside Duncan Keith and Mattias Ekholm have helped him continue growing his defensive game, and Oilers fans should be excited to see where Bouchard’s potential and talent take him as he begins the chase for 300 career points.
What’s next for the Oilers?
Edmonton will now begin a week-long, four-game road trip that will start in Seattle on Saturday night and complete next Saturday in Chicago. The Oilers are currently tied with the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific Division and are only six points away from the division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights.
With standings this close and with the halfway point of the season on the horizon, expect more and more of a physical and grueling style of hockey with every game to come.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
