In a thrilling overtime showdown on March 20, 2025, the Winnipeg Jets edged out the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 at Rogers Place, with Kyle Connor scoring the decisive goal just 1:13 into the extra period. The victory marked the Jets' fourth win in five games, showcasing a strong performance throughout the matchup.
Josh Morrissey contributed significantly to the Jets' success with a goal and an assist, while Cole Perfetti and Brandon Tanev also found the back of the net. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental, saving 21 of the 24 shots he faced to secure the win.
The Oilers fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. Jeff Skinner, emerging as a key player for Edmonton, scored twice, with Zach Hyman adding another goal. Darnell Nurse shone defensively, registering two assists. However, the Oilers faced challenges when goaltender Stuart Skinner exited the game after saving 13 of 16 shots due to a concussion protocol check, replaced by Calvin Pickard, who allowed the game-winning goal. Skinner's early exit came following a collision with Monroe Vilardi, creating a tense atmosphere as nerves ran high.
Adding to the Oilers' woes, captain Connor McDavid also left the ice with a lower-body injury, leaving Edmonton without its star player in the crucial final stretch of the game. Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed McDavid’s absence for the upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken, alongside Leon Draisaitl, highlighting the team's struggle to maintain its hold on the playoff spot with these key players sidelined.
In another exciting match that evening, the St. Louis Blues overcame the Vancouver Canucks with a similar overtime win, 4-3. Philip Broberg netted the winner for the Blues, contributing to their fourth consecutive victory. Tyler Tucker and Dylan Holloway each chipped in with a goal and an assist, while Jordan Binnington made 15 saves to help secure the win. Vancouver’s Brock Boeser stunned the crowd with his two goals, one of which tied the game mere seconds before the third period concluded.
On the other side of the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights stunned the Boston Bruins with a convincing 5-1 victory. Pavel Dorofeyev achieved a remarkable hat trick, supported by goals from Brett Howden and Ivan Barbashev. Jack Eichel, Brandon Saad, and Noah Hanifin each provided two assists, contributing to a heavy offensive display while Adin Hill made 18 saves in goal.
The Calgary Flames outperformed the New Jersey Devils with a total blowout in the third period, where they scored four unanswered goals to emerge victorious 5-3. Jonathan Huberdeau was pivotal, securing a goal and an assist. Unfortunately for the Devils, they allowed their advantage slip away, after taking a 3-1 lead, a sore spot in what has been a challenging season for them. Nico Hischier was a bright spot for New Jersey, contributing a goal and an assist.
The Los Angeles Kings continued their winning ways against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks, triumphing 3-1. Darcy Kuemper was solid in goal, making 17 saves. The Kings showcased efficient offense with goals from Trevor Moore, Alex Turcotte, and Joel Edmundson. Notably, Connor Bedard managed to put one past Kuemper, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome for Chicago, which pushed to a six-game losing streak following the defeat.
In a significant matchup outside of the NHL, the Utah Hockey Club claimed victory over the Buffalo Sabres with a 5-2 score. Mikhail Sergachev stood out with a pair of goals, while Dylan Guenther broke a pivotal third-period tie before adding insurance goals from Kevin Stenlund and Sergachev himself. The Sabres struggled to find rhythm, with JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod scoring consolation goals but failing to make a significant dent in Utah’s lead.
The Anaheim Ducks celebrated John Gibson’s return from injury with a notable 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. Gibson's presence in goal was felt immediately, as he made 33 saves and helped his team regain a competitive edge after a rough stretch. Trevor Zegras was productive, scoring a goal and adding an assist, while fellow teammates Jackson LaCombe, Troy Terry, and Alex Killorn were also on the score sheet. Nashville struggled, marking their fourth consecutive loss in what has been a tough month.
Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals took on the Philadelphia Flyers, holding on for a narrow 3-2 victory. Alex Ovechkin scored yet another goal in his quest to moving up the all-time scoring leaderboard, helping Washington secure its eighth win in nine outings. Both Brandon Duhaime and Andrew Mangiapane contributed goals as well. For the Flyers, Ryan Poehling had a goal and an assist but could not overcome the Capitals' early lead.
On the subject of injury disruptions, Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ goaltender, expressed his frustrations after being pulled from the match against the Jets with less than five minutes remaining, which had visibly changed the game's dynamic. He stated, I felt totally fine. I was just kind of shook up with the play. Obviously when you get knocked over, you got some adrenaline going so you just want to take a second... It is really tough; it is frustrating for sure. Coach Knoblauch joined in expressing support for Skinner’s standpoint and highlighted the challenge it posed for the team. Moving into the next match, Edmonton must navigate this period of injuries and uncertainty while striving to maintain their place in the playoff race.
The NHL schedule looks tense as teams continue vying for favorable positioning heading into playoff contention. With injuries that threaten to sideline key players like McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers need all hands on deck as they face a Seattle Kraken team also looking to rebound. The subsequent stage in the season brings both challenges and opportunities, paving the way for the final push into April's playoff run.
