TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to six games by defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 at Amalie Arena on February 25, 2025. With this victory, the Lightning improved their record to 7-0-1 over their last eight games, solidifying their position within the competitive Atlantic Division.
It was once again Leon Draisaitl who staked his claim as one of the league's top scorers, opening the scoring for the Oilers with his NHL-leading 43rd goal during the first period. The Oilers capitalized on their power play efforts, taking the lead 1-0 midway through the first. Draisaitl’s goal was decisive but proved fleeting, as the Lightning quickly equalized just 1:18 later.
Minutes after Draisaitl's goal shifted the momentum, Michael Eyssimont responded for the Lightning, unraveling the Oilers' early celebration. Brandon Hagel and Victor Hedman added to the Lightning's tally, scoring two-second period goals to give Tampa Bay a comfortable lead. Paul closed the scoring with his 18th goal of the season, solidifying the Lightning’s authoritative display against the Oilers.
Throughout the game, the Oilers encountered difficulties, failing to build on their first period lead or adapt to Tampa Bay's offensive pressure. With the final buzzer sounding, Edmonton found themselves outshot 36-24, unable to match the pace and intensity set by their opponents. The Oilers’ struggles were compounded by the performance of their bottom-six forwards, who were largely ineffective against Tampa Bay's seasoned lineup.
Stuart Skinner, starting netminder for the Oilers, faced 36 shots and allowed four goals, struggling to reestablish the momentum after conceding pp goals. Eyeing Skinner's performance, analyst Bruce McCurdy remarked, "While he made some fine saves, the goals he allowed were ones he'd likely want back." Skinner's inability to recover swiftly after the Lightning's six-game winning streak became evident during pivotal moments of the game.
The Oilers also faced the harsh results of defensive lapses. Draisaitl's efforts were overshadowed by team-wide inconsistencies, leading to scoring opportunities for the Lightning. Edmonton's inability to stem Tampa Bay's momentum during their poor road trip highlighted their struggles, losing their fourth consecutive game since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
Overall, Colorado requires collective efforts—both from their forwards and defensemen— to return to their successful formula. This struggle is evident as the Oilers continue to fall within the standings, citing their disappointing 1-5-0 record over the past six games. Following the game, the team will face the Florida Panthers on Thursday, where they'll look to snap their current losing streak.
The Lightning celebrated notable tactical successes, such as achieving their first 5-on-3 power-play goal of the season, emphasizing their growth during the seasons' final stretch. Heading forward, Tampa Bay not only aims to continue their winning ways but also strengthens their playoff positioning with their impressive home record of 9-1-1 since January 1.
With these two teams heading down different paths, the Lightning will seek to maintain their winning streak, showcasing their shift as conference contenders, whereas the Oilers face the pressing challenge of finding solutions to their early-season problems moving forward.
Conclusively, this matchup encapsulates the current state of the NHL, showcasing individual brilliance like Draisaitl's alongside team cohesion evident with Tampa Bay. This dichotomy will shape narratives as this season progresses toward the playoffs.