Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Lane Hutson #48 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Rogers Place on October 23, 2025 in Edmonton, Canada.
The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a stunning comeback on Thursday night, edging the Montreal Canadiens 6-5 in a game that swung wildly from start to finish. After falling behind multiple times, the Oilers relied on resilience, skill, and timely goals to secure two points in a match both teams struggled to control.
Canadiens Dominate Early, But Oilers Stay Alive
Montreal clearly had the upper hand in the opening frame. The Canadiens skated circles around Edmonton, creating multiple scoring chances. Goaltender Calvin Pickard, however, kept the Oilers in the game. Despite conceding a goal on a defensive lapse, Pickard made several key stops, including tough saves on Evans and Suzuki, and a high deflection from Cole Caufield. Tomasek’s late goal on Edmonton’s third shot tied the game 1-1 by the first intermission.
Lead Changes Keep Fans on Edge
Edmonton surged in the second period, scoring twice to take a brief lead. But the Oilers’ defense faltered, allowing three quick goals in 1:52. Montreal led 4-3 after two periods. Early in the third, the Canadiens extended the advantage to 5-3, seemingly putting the game out of reach. Yet Edmonton refused to fold, setting up a dramatic finish.
Key Player Performances
Calvin Pickard – 6/10
Pickard was the backbone of the Oilers’ win. He stopped 22 of 27 shots, including several difficult chances. While a few goals were tough to prevent due to defensive errors, his performance kept Edmonton within striking distance.
Connor McDavid – 7/10
McDavid dominated the first period and remained a key playmaker throughout. He assisted on three goals, including the crucial 5-4 power-play goal to cut Montreal’s lead. His vision and precise passing earned him the Second Star of the night.
Leon Draisaitl – 5/10
Draisaitl struggled early but delivered when it mattered, scoring the 5-4 power-play goal and winning vital late faceoffs. Despite flashes of brilliance, his overall performance was inconsistent.
Vasily Podkolzin – 6/10
Podkolzin shone with a game-winning backhand goal for the 6-5 victory. His puck retrievals, smart neutral-zone resets, and physical play were key factors in the comeback. He was named the First Star.
Evan Bouchard – 2/10
Bouchard endured a rough night. Early turnovers and defensive lapses contributed directly to Canadiens’ goals. Though he assisted on the 5-5 tying goal, his struggles dominated his performance.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 6/10
Quiet for much of the game, Nugent-Hopkins came alive late, assisting on the 5-4 goal and scoring a backhand to tie the game 5-5. His timely contributions were crucial.
Other Notable Performances:
- Jack Roslovic (4/10) – Missed key opportunities but created chances.
- Darnell Nurse (4/10) – Mixed defensive plays; redeemed slightly with a winning setup.
- Jake Walman (7/10) – Oilers’ top defender; strong positioning and key assists.
- Adam Henrique (7/10) – Excellent tip-ins and defensive contributions.
- Brett Kulak (5/10) – Good defensive efforts but allowed dangerous chances.
- Ty Emberson (6/10) – Solid defensive work and effective in high-danger scenarios.
Dramatic Finish Secures Oilers’ Victory
Trailing by two goals with nine minutes remaining, Edmonton mounted a thrilling comeback. McDavid orchestrated the plays, Draisaitl converted on the power play, and Podkolzin finished with the decisive winner. The Oilers’ resilience turned a near-certain loss into a memorable victory.
Takeaways
Edmonton’s performance highlighted their offensive depth, late-game composure, and reliance on key players like Pickard, McDavid, and Podkolzin. Defensive lapses remain a concern, but the Oilers’ ability to fight back shows championship potential. Meanwhile, Montreal’s inability to close the game could haunt them in upcoming matches.
The 6-5 win injects momentum into Edmonton’s season and reinforces the unpredictable excitement of NHL hockey.
