The Edmonton Oilers faced an uphill battle on Saturday night, but defied expectations by securing a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken, despite being without their star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that both players are nursing injuries that could sideline them for approximately a week, leading to a critical chance for the rest of the roster to step up.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins delivered a remarkable performance, scoring three goals to earn his fourth career hat trick, and contributing significantly to the Oilers’ success while underscoring the depth that the team possesses. "We obviously believe in ourselves and our group no matter who’s in or out of the lineup," Nugent-Hopkins remarked after the game, showcasing the team's determination in the face of adversity.
Earlier in the week, on March 20, 2025, McDavid had to leave a match against the Winnipeg Jets after suffering an injury. The three-time MVP was due for further examination, with indications that he might miss at least a week. In a parallel situation, Draisaitl sat out the game against the Jets after he sustained an undisclosed injury earlier that week.
As a result of these injuries, the Oilers had to reconfigure their roster, rallying together to fill the void left by their two star forwards. Despite the tension surrounding McDavid and Draisaitl's absence, the team put forth a commendable effort. The Oilers have been incredibly reliant on their star players in recent years, and this situation presented a perfect opportunity for other players to prove themselves. “It’s nice to see guys that don’t usually get those minutes stepping up and doing a good job,” stated defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who served as an assistant captain during the game.
In addition to Nugent-Hopkins' hat trick, Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner each contributed a goal, reinforcing the collective team effort characteristic of this particular match. The victory also marked a significant milestone for the Oilers, as it was the first occasion since McDavid joined the team that both he and Draisaitl missed a game due to injury.
Stuart Skinner, who was initially pulled from Thursday’s game by a concussion spotter, returned to form with 27 saves against the Kraken. His performance on Saturday night alongside the team's defensive strategies helped secure the win. The Kraken, despite featuring notable players like Kaapo Kakko, who scored two goals, fell short as they extended their losing streak to two games.
The encounter was filled with action as both teams traded goals. Henrique opened the scoring for the Oilers with a power-play goal, only to be matched by Kakko's response shortly after. Nugent-Hopkins' versatility shone as he scored goals in even-strength situations, on the power play, and even short-handed into an empty net late in the game, exemplifying his all-around ability.
In light of this win, the Oilers solidified their position in the Pacific Division, sitting second, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by merely three points and leading the Los Angeles Kings by two (although the Kings have played two fewer games). With the playoffs approaching, the Oilers face an intense week ahead, as they prepare to meet the Kraken again twice and the Dallas Stars in the coming days.
Reflecting on the inconsistency and struggles earlier in the season, Nugent-Hopkins seems to have found his rhythm, now boasting an impressive 4 goals and 5 assists in his last four games. This resurgence is crucial, especially with the playoff race heating up. Nugent-Hopkins commented on his recent form, jokingly recalling, "I didn’t remember my last hatty either. It was 2019? Felt like that long ago... " His performance provided an essential spark for a team eager to demonstrate its overall strength and resilience beyond its star players.
Looking ahead, the Oilers are set to host the Dallas Stars on March 26, poised to gain momentum leading into the final stretch of the regular season. Coach Knoblauch will need to continue leveraging the contributions of the depth players while keeping fingers crossed for a quick recovery of McDavid and Draisaitl in the process. “We want to be healthy going into the playoffs,” Knoblauch emphasized. The coming week will undoubtedly prove pivotal in shaping the fate of the Oilers as they forge ahead in their quest for playoff positioning, relying not only on the strength of their superstars but also on the emerging talents within their lineup.
