Coming off back-to-back games ending in Jack Roslovic overtime winners, the Edmonton Oilers headed over to Columbus for a rematch of the first of those two games. The Columbus Blue Jackets arguably deserved that win more than the Oilers did, but could not close it out. On this night, the Jackets would get a look at Calvin Pickard instead of Stuart Skinner in net. Both teams, playing their third game in four nights, would also have changes to their lineups for myriad reasons.
When you play EA Sports NHL from the 15 to 19 versions and are outplayed handily, but only lose by one goal, after the final buzzer Doc Emrick will say “this was a close game, and it was a little bit deceptive that way.” That fits this contest pretty well, especially through the first period. The Oilers didn’t generate much of anything, and were fortunate perhaps to only be down 1–0 at intermission.
This game finished as a one-goal game, but the Oilers sleepwalked through the first 20-plus minutes of this one. When the Oilers did finally get going, defensive miscues and lack of timely saves hampered their ability to come back from what became a 5–2 deficit after they tied it 2–2. Unlike on Monday night, there were no last-minute heroics, no overtime winners. This game finished perhaps the same way Monday night should have.
Oilers lose 5–4, and are 1–1 so far on the road trip. Here’s the game story.
Oilers are likely wishing back-to-back games weren’t a thing
Before the win over Philadelphia, the Oilers were losers of all games featured in back-to-backs so far this season. And at that, they narrowly avoided surrendering the game-winner by the length of a skate blade. That’s an offside that only an eagle eye could pick up.
How Edmonton played on this night, particularly out of the gates, was similar to previous back-to-backs. If a motion to abolish back-to-back games were made, the Oilers would most likely be in favour of it. They only generated four shots in the first period, while seeing the Jackets put up six official shots on goal, plus three goalposts.
Even after the first period, only one line could really generate much for the Oilers, that being the top line of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Matt Savoie. That line also was on the ice for goals against, however, so it can be said nobody played a perfect game. To be fair to Roslovic and Vasily Podkolzin, they continued to have elite chemistry with one another:
The trouble for Edmonton is that there’s another Wednesday-Thursday back-to-back waiting next week for them. The schedule doesn’t get any easier. This team has to find ways to grind out more wins like the one against the Flyers. Otherwise, they’ll be limping towards the Olympic break, rather than be in a position to succeed.
Pickard got lucky often early on, but that luck eventually ran out
It took Columbus over 15 minutes of game action to get the first goal of the game, but realistically they could have had multiple goals beforehand. Goaltender Calvin Pickard looked pretty shaky in this game, especially early on. He should take cues from Marc-Andre Fleury, and heartily thank his goalposts. They came up large to help him out. Evan Bouchard didn’t help anything out on this goal, which sort of snuck through Pickard’s five-hole.
Pickard could never get fully settled in all night. Even with six posts hit by Columbus, as noted by play-by-play guy Jack Michaels, he still had trouble making saves consistently. The 5–2 goal, which stood as the game winner, was the same fare as the first goal.
On a night where the Oilers finally had consistent offence, Pickard couldn’t hold up his end of the bargain. He finished the night with 20 saves, an .800 save percentage, and a continuation of his rough start to 2025–26. Something has to change in a hurry, or we may be looking at a call-up from the AHL by Christmas. Four-goal performances by this year’s Oilers team cannot be wasted.
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Matt Savoie may never come off the McDavid-Draisaitl line again
The woes of Edmonton’s offence this season have been well-documented. They’ve been so significant, though, that even loading up McDavid and Draisaitl hasn’t been as effective as before. That’s a dire red flag for a team already relying on some iffy forward depth.
Savoie, fresh off a two-assist game against the Flyers, was put up onto their line to help provide a spark in the second period, and it paid dividends right away. Down 2–0, the Oilers worked it back to a tie purely on the strength of that trio, and Bouchard.
They even appeared to tie the game 3–3 later in the period, though that was called back due to a more clear offside than the previous night. That line would still tack on one more tally in the third period, though. After Roslovic worked his magic with Podkolzin, Draisaitl cashed his second of the night:
If McDavid-Draisaitl is to be reunited permanently, Savoie must be the third guy on that line. His speed and instincts, along with offence finally pouring in for him, make him a solid fit on that top unit. They ultimately couldn’t tie the game up one more time, but their efforts in this one were a breath of fresh air. For a team bereft of consistent scoring all year, this was a desperately-needed breakthrough.
Broadcaster perspective, instead of player this time
“It’s time to wake up, get moving, and play with a little urgency.”
-Louie DeBrusk on the Sportsnet feed following the 2–0 goal
The road trip will continue until morale improves
Oilers move on to Carolina for a Hockey Night in Canada game against the Hurricanes. It’s kind of fitting given this is the 20th season following the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. Good news for the Oilers is reinforcements will be likely, as Zach Hyman is set to make his season debut. 5:00 PM start, in line with these past couple of nights.
This will be just the third game of a seven-game road trip, which still has a full week left to go in it. Gotta find a way to beat down, and dig in, if you’re Edmonton. Any way you can scrap out some standings points, do so.
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