EDMONTON, Alberta — Leon Draisaitl netted the winning goal just 18 seconds into overtime, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 triumph over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. This marks the Oilers’ second consecutive victory in overtime, showcasing their resilience after a sluggish start to the match.
Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm were also on the scoresheet for the Oilers, who have now secured wins in 10 of their last 12 games. Connor McDavid shone with three assists, and Evan Bouchard contributed with two assists of his own.
In a dramatic finish, Ekholm equalized for Edmonton by scoring with only 18 seconds remaining in regulation, responding with the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.
For the Sharks, Luke Kunin and Jan Rutta managed to find the back of the net, but the team has now suffered four consecutive losses, and seven defeats in their last eight outings.
Oilers’ goalie Calvin Pickard was relatively untested, making 20 saves throughout the game, while rookie goaltender Yaroslav Askarov of the Sharks faced a barrage of 39 shots in just his sixth game in the NHL.
In noteworthy developments, Jake Walman of the Sharks recorded his 20th assist of the season in what was his 31st game, making him the fastest defenseman in franchise history to achieve this milestone, surpassing Erik Karlsson’s previous record set in the 2018-19 season.
On the other hand, Hyman’s impressive form continues as he scored in his fifth straight game, accumulating nine goals in the last eight games since returning from an injury.
The climax of the game saw Edmonton tie it up at 2 when Ekholm fired a powerful shot into the goal, set up by Corey Perry in the final moments of regulation.
A notable statistic from the match indicates that the Oilers have emerged victorious in 10 of their last 11 encounters against the Sharks, outscoring them significantly, 57-22, over the past three seasons.
Looking ahead, the Sharks are scheduled to face off against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, while the Oilers will host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.