Last night was a historic night for the Edmonton Oilers franchise. Prior to the game against the St. Louis Blues, they celebrated veteran forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for reaching 1,000 games played in the NHL. The historic aspect, of course, is that RNH is the first to ever play all of his first 1,000 games as an Oiler. None of the other legends in this franchise’s storied history can claim the same.
Once the ceremony wrapped up, it was time to get down to business. The Blues, much like the previous night’s opponent, the Vancouver Canucks, have been plagued by injuries, and a deficient scoring ability. They would activate ex-Oiler Dylan Holloway from injured reserve this one, which made this game mean extra. But Holloway is still just one guy, and good as he is, he’s not going to magically make the Blues score en masse.
As it turns out, he wouldn’t even help the Blues score at all on this night. The Oilers instead carried over their momentum from the game in Vancouver, and played to a similar result. One especially dominating period, accompanied by two periods that reinforce the strong lead. All while the other team earns no points, and may the Hockey Gords have mercy on their soul. Even better, in game number 1,000, we got a throwback: The Nuge Is Huge. He didn’t just score any goal, he scored the game-winner, and did so in under six minutes. Eat your hearts out, Hollywood script-writers.
Oilers win 5–0.
That’s how you celebrate history. By making more of it, as they win consecutive shutouts by five or more goals for the first time ever. Also, this team may never get scored on again. Here’s the game story.
It’s Nuge’s world and we’re all just living in it
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins means so much to the city of Edmonton. He came here amidst three consecutive bottom-two finishes in the standings, and has managed to stick around since. He’s the only player who can bridge the Ryan Smyth days with this decade’s consecutive Stanley Cup Final berths. That is why you see him in commercials such as the ones for West Edmonton Mall- he’s basically an adopted Edmontonian.
So before the game, they did the traditional 1,000-game silver stick ceremony. In contrast to the one Adam Henrique received earlier this season, RNH’s had a little more flair to it. When you celebrate someone who has become so Edmontonian he probably has it memorized where Green Onion Cake Man is located, you have to give it everything it’s worth. And this franchise certainly did.
When the actual game got underway, the question was whether or not we would have to wait over 20 minutes for a goal, like we did the previous night. This observer thinks Nugent-Hopkins didn’t want to wait that long again, and took matters into his own hands. Not even six minutes elapsed in this game before he put his name on the scoresheet first.
Poetry on ice is the best way that can be described. RNH also nearly had more later on in the game, on a play up the ice with Jake Walman. Had he gotten another one, it might well have gotten playoff-loud inside Rogers. Nevertheless, this moment shall be told forever in the annals of Oilers lore.
The offence as a whole has come alive this weekend
Even with “The Nuge” getting only one himself, that was all they really needed. But, where’s the fun in winning 1–0 in the regular season? Pedal to the metal should always be the name of the game.
Zach Hyman had two of his own in this game. Perhaps he saw two of his teammates pot a pair each last night, and got envious. To keep it interesting, he scored two different ways: one, a redirect from his signature net-front spot, and two, with a heavy shot that made the post scream in fear.
Andrew Mangiapane also made a goal happen in this game, which isn’t something we can say too often. All he needed to do was be in the right position, and watch as Curtis Lazar let the initial shot go. This is the best way to get goals and assists in mid-2010’s EA Sports NHL Be A Pro. And it’s also a good way to get off the schneid in the real-life NHL.
And for the second straight game, Vasily Podkolzin became Mr. Exclamation Point. Kind of ironic given how stoic he always is. But as long as he continues to be Pod-goals-in, it’s perfect.
The Oilers haven’t had this well-rounded of an offence at any point this season. Even in games they’ve won handily, it’s been strongly driven by the “big guns”. And sure, Hyman can count as a “big gun”, and McDavid still had two assists in this game. But far fewer players went 0–0–0 in the box score on this night than in nights past. And that’s what the Oilers need down the stretch.
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Ingram’s stellar play finally nets him his first shutout in a long time
The last Connor Ingram shutout came on March 8, 2024, while he was still a member of the Arizona Coyotes, who still existed back then. That’s all you need to know about how long it’s been. He’s come close a couple of times so far as an Oiler, only for the third period to do that shutout notion in.
Getting the start in this one after getting the previous night off, Ingram once again looked stellar. The Blues didn’t make his life too difficult, all things considered, but he still made the saves expected of him. His teammates reciprocated that performance with solid play in front of him, and of course lots of goals.
Ingram finished with 27 saves on the night, earning the shutout. All but one of his games played as an Oiler so far have been “quality starts.” We’ve known for a while that Ingram can be a stud in net, but this is even better than what the most optimistic fans had hoped for. Keep playing lights-out, Ingram.
Scary injuries for both teams as Kapanen and Sundqvist go down
Kasperi Kapanen has been on a heater since returning from injury, posting seven points in eight games. Even without Leon Draisaitl in the lineup, Kapanen chugged along just fine in Vancouver. This is looking like the Kapanen that led Finland to World Juniors gold on home soil in 2016.
Unfortunately, injury got him again. He caught a rough edge in the ice in the first period, and would be forced to leave the game. Absolutely a tough break for Kapanen. The one positive is that, speaking after the game, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch indicated this won’t be a long-term injury, meaning at worst, Kapanen will only miss the next two and a half weeks leading up to the Olympic break.
Oskar Sundqvist got tangled up with McDavid later on, in the third period. Sundqvist was the player who went down to the ice first, and he essentially slid right underneath McDavid, skates and all. Skate cuts are the freakiest kinds of injuries, and everyone did well to usher him off the ice as efficiently as possible.
Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery said after the game that, while it was a deep gash, it did not catch the Achilles tendon. Like with Kapanen, Sundqvist is designated day-to-day. Sending the best wishes for speedy recovery to Kapanen and Sundqvist.
Player perspective
“Hard to put into words right now, but it was a lot of fun, and I thought the guys played great, and (Ingram) played outstanding.” -Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on his milestone night
There’s seven more home games left in this stand
Can the Oilers just play every game the way they’ve played against Vancouver and St. Louis? Have they suggested these games’ strategies as long-term solutions? Sure, neither the Canucks or Blues will be in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but even against mediocre teams, pumping both of them in the same back-to-back by a combined 11–0 is no easy feat. The Oilers, in 24 hours (taking away the first period against Vancouver), outscored the 2026 playoff points output of the NFL’s Chargers and 49ers combined.
They will look to keep this roll going against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Like Vancouver and St. Louis, New Jersey has struggled with this thing called “scoring.” Not having Jack Hughes available will do that to a team. Puck drop will be 7:00 PM local time.
