The Edmonton Oilers are once again staring down a familiar storyline - two wins in the bank, with a third just within reach. And yet, so far this season, that elusive three-game win streak has remained just that: elusive.
It’s hard to believe, really. We’re more than halfway through the season, and despite a roster loaded with talent and flashes of brilliance, the Oilers have yet to string together three straight wins.
They’ve had opportunities - plenty of them. But every time they hit two, something stalls.
And at this point, the players are understandably tired of being asked about it.
What makes the situation even more puzzling is that the Oilers aren’t just scraping by. They’re making headlines - especially from the blue line.
In back-to-back games, Edmonton’s defensemen put on a show that’s rarely seen in the NHL. Evan Bouchard notched a hat trick against the Capitals, and then Mattias Ekholm followed it up with a three-goal night of his own against the Ducks.
That kind of offensive output from the back end isn’t just rare - it’s historic.
And yet, here we are again, waiting to see if they can finally get over the hump.
Tonight, they get another shot. The opponent?
The San Jose Sharks - a team that can generate offense but struggles to keep pucks out of its own net. They’re not a shutdown group by any stretch, and while they’ve got some offensive punch, they’re vulnerable.
This is the kind of matchup where Edmonton’s top-end talent and surging confidence could - and should - take over.
The Oilers aren’t just winning games right now - they’re winning with style and swagger. Bouchard and Ekholm’s scoring outbursts didn’t just pad the stat sheet; they lit a fire under the entire defensive corps.
When your blue line is combining for five goals in a game, when guys like Darnell Nurse and Spencer Stastney are jumping into the play with purpose, it changes the way you approach the game. Suddenly, the defense isn’t just holding the fort - it’s driving the offense.
That energy has carried over. The goaltending has been steady.
The stars - Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - are doing what they do best, creating chances, controlling tempo, and producing in big moments. And the supporting cast is stepping up, too.
There’s a rhythm to the way this team is playing right now that hasn’t always been there this season.
So, is tonight the night?
The Oilers would never admit they’re thinking about the streak. They’ve said all the right things - one game at a time, focus on execution, don’t chase the narrative.
But let’s be real: it’s there. It’s been there after every second win, every missed opportunity.
The media brings it up. Fans joke about it.
And while the players try to tune it out, it’s hard to ignore when it keeps happening.
But this time feels different. The team is coming off two strong wins.
The defense is producing at a clip we haven’t seen in years. The goaltending is holding up.
And they’re not walking into tonight’s game with the weight of a recent loss dragging them down.
The Sharks are no pushover - they’ve got the ability to score and make games interesting. But they also give up chances, and that’s where the Oilers have to pounce. This is a team that thrives on pace and pressure, and if they can dictate the tempo early, they’ll put themselves in a position to finally break through.
And if they do? The sigh of relief in that locker room will be real.
Not just because they finally hit that third straight win, but because they can stop hearing about it. The narrative fades.
The questions stop. The focus shifts forward.
Eventually, every streak - or lack thereof - ends. Maybe it’s tonight. Maybe third time really is the charm.
Projected Lines and Pairings:
Forwards:
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman
- Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Kasperi Kapanen
- Carter Savoie - Ilya Samanski - Jack Roslovic
- Mattias Janmark - Curtis Lazar - Trent Frederic
Defense:
- Mattias Ekholm* - Evan Bouchard
- Darnell Nurse - Jake Walman
- Spencer Stastney - Ty Emberson
Goaltender:
- Tristan Jarry
*Note: Ekholm is listed as day-to-day and will be a game-time decision, per head coach Kris Knoblauch.
The Oilers have the momentum. They’ve got the roster.
They’ve got the opportunity. Now it’s just about execution.