The Edmonton Oilers faced off against the New York Islanders on March 14, 2025, at UBS Arena, marking the third game of their four-game eastern road trip. The Oilers entered the matchup holding third place in the NHL’s Pacific Division with 78 points, yet their recent form had been troubling, with only three wins out of their last ten games. On the other hand, the Islanders were struggling to make headway, sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 65 points and losing ground on the wild card playoff spots.
The game started with both teams exchanging attempts on goal but failing to score. The Oilers outshot the Islanders 17 to 6 during the first period, but the Islanders’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin was impenetrable, demonstrating remarkable skills, including notable saves against high-danger chances. There was tension on the ice, especially when Connor McDavid received a penalty for cross-checking at the 14:39 mark. Connor Brown had the best chance for the Oilers on a short-handed breakaway, but Sorokin thwarted him with a glove save, keeping the game scoreless.
Midway through the first period, the Oilers’ Zach Hyman left the game with an undisclosed injury, but fortunately returned for the start of the second. It was Leon Draisaitl who finally broke this deadlock when he blasted the puck past Sorokin at 11:14 of the second period, marking his 48th goal of the season. Assists on the goal came from Evan Bouchard, who achieved his 40th assist of the season, and Brown, who had been active throughout the game.
Despite being down, the Islanders pressed back, increasing their shot production as the game moved forward. The second period ended with the Oilers boasting 25 shots on goal versus the Islanders’ 17, but the scoreboard reflected a slim 1-0 lead for the Edmonton team.
Early action began the third period as Bo Horvat scored for the Islanders at 1:21, tying the game 1-1 with his 21st goal of the season. The Oilers continued to dominate the shots on goal, concluding the third period with 32 to 22, but both teams showcased resilience defensively.
Overtime became the stage for real drama as the game remained tied. Draisaitl led the charge for the Oilers during the extra period. He and his teammates McDavid and Bouchard sought to seal the victory, yet they faced Sorokin’s skill. The playwright of the winning goal was Pickard, whose pivotal save on the Islanders’ Pierre Engvall allowed him to swiftly move the puck to McDavid. McDavid then spotted Draisaitl on the breakaway, who skated down and beat Sorokin with 3:53 left, marking his NHL-leading 49th goal of the season.
With this victory, the Oilers moved to 79 points, reclaiming second place from the Los Angeles Kings. Notably, Draisaitl not only solidified his influence within the game but also celebrated marking his 100th-point of the season, making this the sixth time he reaches this milestone, positioning himself as one of just 17 players in NHL history to record six or more 100-point seasons.
Following the game, Oilers’ head coach acknowledged Draisaitl’s stellar performance, stating, "Draisaitl’s constant and consistent excellence this season has kept the struggling Oilers competitive." His remarkable consistency has kept Oil Country buzzing and fans hopeful about the late-season push for the playoffs.
The New York Islanders will look to shake off this defeat as they prepare to host the Florida Panthers on Sunday, March 16, 2025, aiming to bounce back after three consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the Oilers will complete their eastern road trip against another formidable foe, the New York Rangers, on Sunday at 5 p.m. MDT.