EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1 on Sunday night, snapping the Senators' season-high six-game winning streak.
Zach Hyman broke the tie on the power play late in the second period, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games. Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an assist, and Adam Henrique also scored for the Oilers.
Stuart Skinner stood strong between the pipes, making 20 saves to secure his fifth win over the last six outings. The victory is emblematic of the Oilers’ recent surge, marking their third consecutive win and improving their record to 21-11-2 this season.
Arvidsson opened the scoring at Rogers Place, netting his third goal of the season by tapping the puck past Senators goalie Linus Ullmark, who faced seven shots before being taken out of the game due to injury at the end of the first period. Ullmark's absence came after he was hit by a shot late in the first frame, paving the way for Leevi Merilainen to enter and make 12 saves.
Just 25 seconds after Arvidsson's goal, Nick Cousins quickly tied it for Ottawa, displaying their tenacity. Despite this, the Oilers did not waver, as Hyman netted the winning goal near the end of the second period through his clever play on the power play, after assistance from Arvidsson.
"I think we’re finding ways to win games… We don’t want to lose two in a row, and we’ve been doing pretty good at it lately,” Skinner reflected on the team’s stellar performance, highlighting their resilience.
The Oilers are riding high, with much of it attributed to their offensive explosion over the last few games, tallying 11 wins out of their last 13 contests. Hyman's impressive return following injury has been instrumental, as he has managed to score 10 goals over nine games since rejoining the lineup, leveling his total for the season to 13.
“I thought I was playing well, I just wasn’t scoring,” Hyman explained, reflecting on his early-season struggles. "That’s what happens, you just have to keep playing. If you continue to stick with it… success will come.”
The Senators, who were riding high on their six-game winning streak prior to this match, saw their momentum halted. Defenseman Thomas Chabot acknowledged the frustrating nature of their performance, stating, "We expectedbetter out of ourselves tonight...obviously, they’re a very talented team, so you’ve got to give them credit.”
Oilers fans are certainly grateful for the turnaround, and with the holiday break approaching, the squad looks to keep their form intact heading onto the ice again on December 28 against the Los Angeles Kings. Until then, the Oilers will bask in the glow of their recent success, firmly placing themselves three points behind the Pacific Division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Overall, the win serves as both relief and motivation for the Oilers, reassessing their performance after what had been described as slow earlier seasons. They continue to demonstrate confidence on the ice, exhibiting growth and stability as playoffs approach.
