Edmonton Oilers teammates Stuart Skinner and Mattias Ekholm shared a moment of celebration following their victory against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday, December 22, 2024. (Photo credit: Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers snapped the Ottawa Senators’ six-game winning streak on Sunday night with a decisive 3-1 victory. Zach Hyman sealed the win with a power-play goal late in the second period, marking the Oilers' third straight win and their 11th in the past 13 games. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner held strong in the net, making 20 saves to secure the victory.
The Oilers set the pace early in the game, with Viktor Arvidsson scoring his third goal on a pinpoint pass from Connor McDavid in the opening period. Arvidsson, who recently returned from a 15-game injury hiatus, displayed impressive form in his third game back, contributing a goal and an assist.
Ottawa managed to briefly level the score early in the second period, with Nick Cousins finding the back of the net just 25 seconds in. However, their momentum was short-lived. Hyman’s sixth consecutive game with a goal restored Edmonton’s lead, pushing his season tally to 13 goals.
Ottawa faced a tough setback as starting goaltender Linus Ullmark was forced to exit after the first period due to an injury sustained from a high shot. Leevi Merilainen stepped in, making 12 saves in his fourth NHL appearance. Merilainen had come off a victorious outing against Vancouver just a day earlier but couldn’t replicate the success against the high-flying Oilers.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continued to dominate for Edmonton, extending their point streaks to nine games each. Draisaitl has amassed 20 points in this span, while McDavid added 18 to his tally, further solidifying their roles as key playmakers for the team.
Game Highlights
- Edmonton’s Dynamic Duo: McDavid’s precision pass to Arvidsson in the first period set the tone for Edmonton’s offensive prowess. Draisaitl and McDavid’s streaks underline their significance in Edmonton’s recent success.
- Hyman’s Hot Streak: With 10 goals in his last nine games since returning from injury, Hyman’s contributions have been instrumental in the Oilers’ winning streak.
- Senators’ Setback: Ullmark’s departure and Merilainen’s limited experience left Ottawa vulnerable, contributing to their first loss after six wins.
Both teams now look ahead to their next challenges on Saturday. Ottawa heads to Winnipeg, while Edmonton will face the Los Angeles Kings.
