In a commanding finish to the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers shut out the San Jose Sharks 3-0 on April 16, 2025, at SAP Center, marking the Sharks' 11th consecutive loss. This victory not only secured the Oilers a strong playoff position but also saw Connor McDavid achieve a remarkable milestone.
Ty Emberson opened the scoring for Edmonton just 8:20 into the first period, firing a shot past Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev after receiving a pass from McDavid. This goal was significant as it marked Emberson's second of the season, both of which came against the Sharks. With this assist, McDavid reached the 100-point mark for the eighth time in his career, joining an elite club of only four players in NHL history to achieve eight 100-point seasons, alongside legends Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Marcel Dionne.
As the game progressed, the Oilers continued to dominate. Max Jones doubled the lead at 10:17 in the second period with his first goal as a member of the Oilers, capitalizing on a setup from Adam Henrique. The Oilers solidified their advantage with an empty-net goal from Corey Perry with just 2:37 left in the game, sealing the shutout victory.
Stuart Skinner was instrumental in the Oilers' success, stopping 18 shots to earn his third shutout of the season. This performance added to his impressive record, with three of his seven career shutouts occurring in San Jose. The Oilers' defense was stifling, allowing the Sharks only a handful of quality scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
The Oilers finished the regular season with a record of 48-29-5, accumulating 101 points and securing third place in the Pacific Division. They enter the playoffs on a high note, having gone 7-3-0 in their last ten games. This marks the fourth consecutive season that the Oilers have surpassed the 100-point threshold, showcasing their consistency and competitiveness.
In stark contrast, the Sharks concluded their season with a dismal record of 20-50-12, finishing last in the overall standings with only 52 points. The loss to Edmonton capped off an 11-game winless streak, with their record during that stretch standing at 0-8-3. The Sharks struggled throughout the season, and this final game highlighted their challenges, as they failed to generate significant offensive pressure against a well-prepared Oilers team.
Throughout the game, the Sharks showed flashes of potential, particularly from their younger players. Celebrini, an 18-year-old rookie, demonstrated his skill by consistently challenging the Oilers' defense, but ultimately, the Sharks could not capitalize on any of their opportunities.
As the Oilers prepare for their upcoming playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, the focus will shift to maintaining their momentum and addressing the absence of key players like Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, who were sidelined for the finale. Darnell Nurse also missed the game due to a one-game suspension for a cross-check during a previous match against the Kings.
In the aftermath of the game, Oilers' head coach expressed confidence in his squad's ability to contend in the playoffs, emphasizing the importance of their late-season performance. The Oilers have now swept the Sharks in their four-game season series, outscoring them 13-6, which adds to the psychological edge heading into the playoffs.
As the playoff picture becomes clearer, fans are eager to see how the Oilers will fare against the Kings, a team they have battled fiercely throughout the season. The anticipation builds as the Oilers look to leverage their strong finish and McDavid's record-setting season into a deep playoff run.
With the regular season concluded, the focus now shifts to the playoffs, where every game counts and the stakes are higher than ever. The Oilers, buoyed by their recent success and McDavid’s historic achievement, are ready to make their mark in the postseason.
