The Edmonton Oilers clash with the New York Islanders tonight at UBS Arena as both teams battle for momentum amid dwindling playoff hopes. Scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 7:30 PM EST, this matchup promises to be pivotal for both franchises, each attempting to avert recent losing streaks.
The Oilers (37-24-4) enter the game seeking instability after losing two successive matches. Their most recent setback came against the New Jersey Devils, where they fell 3-2 on March 13. Currently, the Oilers sit third in the Pacific Division but are only one point behind the Los Angeles Kings, who are vying for positioning as the postseason approaches. With 78 points, Edmonton remains relatively secure within the playoff framework, holding seven points over the Vancouver Canucks, the first team outside of the wild card picture.
Meanwhile, the Islanders (29-28-7) are trying to recover from another disappointing outing, having lost their last two games, including a 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings on March 11. After wrapping up their recent three-game road trip with only one win, the Islanders now aim to revitalize their quest for the second wild card position. Currently, they trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by five points for the last playoff spot, with only 18 games remaining.
Tonight's game marks the second and final meeting of the season between these two teams; they previously met on November 12, 2024, when the Oilers edged out the Islanders 4-3 in overtime. Edmonton hopes to carry the momentum from their earlier victory against New York and return to form after faltering on the road.
Central to the Oilers' offense is superstar Connor McDavid, who looks to extend his impressive point streak to ten games following his two goals and eleven assists over this run. McDavid played well against the Islanders previously, contributing significantly with one goal and three assists. "Tonight, I want to continue building on our previous games and help my team end this losing streak," McDavid said.
On the other side of the ice, Islanders' captain Anders Lee is also making headlines, leading New York with 45 points this season (25 goals and 20 assists). His recent performance includes two goals and two assists over the past six games, though his team's struggles are weighing heavily on him. Despite this, he remains optimistic as they face challenging opponents like Edmonton. "We know how important these games are, and we aim to fight hard for each other and earn the two points," Lee commented reflecting on the need for victory against the Oilers.
For the game, Edmonton's lineup features the dynamic core of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. The team will also be without several injured players, including Evander Kane and Mattias Ekholm. Goaltender Stuart Skinner is anticipated to start after recently recording 19 saves against the Devils, though Calvin Pickard has been positioned to step up following Skinner's loss if necessary.
Similarly, the Islanders will have some adjustments. They welcome back Scott Mayfield after he was scratched during the recent loss, and he will be pivotal on defense tonight against the Oilers’ potent attack. Starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin remains steady, but he faces stern tests from Edmonton's forwards.
Both teams are under significant pressure. The Oilers strive to bolster their playoff position and shake off the uncharacteristic pair of defeats, aiming to tighten their hold on the postseason. The Islanders, conversely, need to claw back and not let the playoff dream slip away as they try to close the gap on the wild card contenders.
The game promises to be thrilling as the stakes are undeniably high for both sides, with playoff ambitions riding on the outcome. Fans can catch the action live at UBS Arena or tune in via ESPN+, MSG, and other local networks.
With the season reaching its climax, every match carries weight. The battle tonight between the Oilers and the Islanders could be the turning point for one of these franchises. Will McDavid ignite the Oilers' resurgence, or can Lee and the Islanders defend their home turf and keep their playoff dreams alive? Only time will tell.