EDMONTON — In a thrilling display of teamwork and resilience, the Edmonton Oilers triumphed over the Seattle Kraken with a score of 5-4 on Saturday night, March 22, 2025. Despite missing their star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the squad rallied to secure the victory, powered by the remarkable performance of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nugent-Hopkins not only recorded his fourth career hat trick but also became the first Oiler this season to achieve a three-goal game.
The Oilers' win improved their record to 41-24-5 and marked their 4-0-1 streak in the last five games, showcasing their depth and fortitude, particularly in the absence of their leading scorers. Nugent-Hopkins, who scored at even strength, on the power play, and shorthanded, made history by joining an elite group of players who have recorded such a feat in the last 30 years. He expressed his gratitude for the collective effort of his teammates, stating, “We obviously believe in ourselves and our group no matter who’s in or out of the lineup.”
Not only did Nugent-Hopkins shine, but teammates Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner also made significant contributions, with each scoring a goal. The game began with a back-and-forth battle; Henrique’s power-play goal opened the scoring for the Oilers, and Kaapo Kakko quickly replied with a power-play goal of his own for the Kraken, resulting in a 1-1 tie after the first period.
Matter intensified in the second period, where Nugent-Hopkins and Kakko exchanged quick goals, leading to an Oilers’ lead. Skinner netted a crucial goal late in the second period, and Nugent-Hopkins added to his tally, placing Edmonton ahead 4-2 by the time the second intermission arrived. On the night, both Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse stood out with two assists each for Edmonton.
The final period brought drama as the Kraken pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, while also benefiting from a power play. Nugent-Hopkins seized the moment, sending the puck into the empty net for his hat trick, securing a 5-3 lead for the Oilers with just 2:17 remaining. Just 14 seconds later, however, Schwartz's power-play goal for the Kraken brought the score to 5-4, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
This matchup was particularly noteworthy for Edmonton as it marked the first time since McDavid was drafted that both he and Draisaitl were out due to injuries. Both players were sidelined for up to a week, intensifying the significance of this victory. Nugent-Hopkins and his teammates stepped up, fulfilling the adage that a team is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Kraken, reeling from this defeat, saw standout performances from their young talent; Kakko's two goals brought him just one point shy of his previous career best of 40 points set while with the New York Rangers during the 2022-2023 campaign. Meanwhile, Jani Nyman, just 20 years old, secured his first two NHL assists in only his sixth game, showcasing promise for the future.
With this victory, the Oilers pushed their dominance over the Kraken to nine consecutive wins and improved their all-time record against them to 12-2-0. After this game, the Oilers are set to host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, while the Kraken prepare to visit the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, March 25.
This game clearly underscored the strength that depth can bring to a hockey team and has boosted morale as the Oilers continue their push for the playoffs.
