The Edmonton Oilers staged an impressive comeback victory against the Boston Bruins on December 19, 2024, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in overtime, highlighted by Leon Draisaitl's milestone points and Mattias Ekholm's game-winning goal. This victory marks the Oilers’ sixth win in their last seven outings, pushing them closer to the playoff picture.
Starting the game, the Oilers faced immediate adversity. The Bruins, fresh off their previous game against the Calgary Flames, came out aggressively, controlling the pace and firing 12 shots on goal during the first period. The Oilers struggled to find their rhythm, falling behind 2-0 by the end of the first. "We felt in the first we were a little slow, thought maybe it wasn’t our night, but we had a good conversation during the intermission," said Ekholm reflecting on the team's morale during the rough start.
With the second frame beginning, the Oilers shifted their strategy. Coach Kris Knoblauch urged the players to simplify their game plan. It paid off when Zach Hyman, who has been on fire, netted his eighth goal of the season 8:33 minutes in, cutting the Bruins’ lead to 2-1. Hyman, who played through adversity after suffering injuries, was praised for his resilient performance. "Obviously it wasn’t the first time [Hyman] broke his nose. I’m sure he has some experience in it. He is obviously a warrior," noted Leon Draisaitl.
Heading to the third period, tensions ran high. While the Oilers fought to maintain the momentum they gained, the Bruins' strong defense put up stiff resistance. But with just 2:21 remaining, Connor McDavid, displaying his trademark finesse, beat Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman to tie the game at 2-2. This goal marked another highlight for McDavid, who now has recorded 15 points over his last seven games.
With the game heading to overtime, the Oilers were not about to concede. Just 1:04 minutes following the start of the extra period, Mattias Ekholm followed up on a rebound from Draisaitl’s shot, slapping the puck past Swayman for the dramatic game-winner. "It was nice to see it go in," Ekholm grinned after the game. This goal not only clinched the win but added to the narrative of resilience the Oilers have been banking on throughout the season.
Draisaitl's performance stood out as well; he recorded three assists during the match, bringing his career total to 900 points—a remarkable path achieved within just 751 games. "It's pretty incredible at his age and where he's at in his career to have 900 points," said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, commending his teammate.
The Oilers’ win brought them to a season record of 19-11-2, reflecting their turnaround since the rocky start of the year. It's becoming evident they are gearing up to contend more seriously this season. "We know we can do it, we embrace it, we love the challenge. Playing against the good teams brings out the best in us," Nugent-Hopkins stated, illustrating the team’s mindset moving forward.
Looking back at the game, there were several lessons learned about perseverance, team spirit, and executing strategies under pressure. The Oilers are showing their capability to climb out of tough spots, hinting at potential playoff promise with each passing game.
With back-to-back games against the San Jose Sharks and the Ottawa Senators on the horizon, the Oilers hope to continue their winning streak. The support from their fans and the determination showed on the ice could be the recipe necessary for success.
