Oilers Finally String Three Wins Together - But Not Without a Wild Ride
It’s late January, and the Edmonton Oilers have finally done it-they’ve notched their first three-game win streak of the season. It took them 10 tries to get there, and true to form, they didn’t make it easy.
Thursday night’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Place looked like it was headed straight for the loss column after a brutal first period, but the Oilers flipped the script in the third, storming back from a three-goal hole to steal a 4-3 overtime win. It wasn’t pretty, but it was unforgettable.
Another Slow Start, Another Hole to Climb Out Of
Let’s be honest-if you watched the first 12 minutes of this one, you probably didn’t think you’d be reading about a comeback win. Edmonton gave up three goals in the opening 11:40, and for the second time in a week, they looked like they weren’t ready when the puck dropped.
Just days after a disastrous start against Pittsburgh where they surrendered three goals in 37 seconds, the Oilers once again came out flat, this time against a divisional opponent. It wasn’t quite as catastrophic, but it was still a gut punch for a home crowd that deserved better.
The Sharks didn’t wait around. They pounced on Edmonton’s sluggishness, forcing turnovers, capitalizing on defensive miscues, and skating with a purpose.
The Oilers, meanwhile, looked like they were still in warmups. For a veteran group with playoff aspirations, these early-game lapses are becoming a troubling trend.
We’re more than halfway through the season, and yet this team still has games where it looks like they’re not mentally checked in until the second period. That’s not a recipe for success, especially against teams that are hungry to play spoiler.
Third Period Magic
But here’s the thing about this Oilers team-they’re never really out of it. As ugly as the first 40 minutes were, the final 20 (plus overtime) reminded everyone why this team is still a threat in the West.
Edmonton came out in the third with pace, purpose, and a chip on their shoulder. They started winning puck battles, creating sustained pressure, and slowly chipping away at San Jose’s lead.
What followed was one of the most electric stretches of hockey we’ve seen from the Oilers all season. The crowd at Rogers Place fed off the momentum, and the players responded in kind.
Edmonton erased the three-goal deficit with a relentless push that had the Sharks on their heels, and when the game reached overtime, it felt like destiny had shifted. Zach Hyman sealed the deal with the game-winner, capping off a comeback that was equal parts thrilling and baffling.
The Oilers didn’t just win-they reminded everyone what they’re capable of when they’re locked in. But that’s also what makes their slow starts so frustrating. If they can dominate like that in the third, why can’t they bring that same energy from the opening faceoff?
Depth Dilemma: Where’s the Bottom Six?
One of the quieter storylines coming out of Thursday’s game was the ongoing conversation around the Oilers’ bottom six forwards. During the second intermission, Craig MacTavish pointed out how difficult it is for a team to bounce back after a first period like that-and how it takes contributions from the entire lineup to make a comeback stick.
But therein lies the challenge. Edmonton’s bottom six has struggled to find consistent minutes and consistent impact.
It’s a bit of a Catch-22: they don’t produce much offensively, so they don’t get much ice time. But without ice time, it’s hard for them to find rhythm or confidence.
So what’s the solution?
Derek Ryan recently spoke about how tough it can be to carve out a role on a team that leans so heavily on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. When your top two centers can play 22-25 minutes a night, it doesn’t leave much room for the rest of the lineup to get involved.
And yet, for the Oilers to be a true playoff threat, they’ll need more than just their stars. They’ll need buy-in and production from all four lines.
That’s the puzzle Kris Knoblauch is trying to solve.
A Win With Lessons
Thursday’s win was a wild one, no doubt about it. The Oilers gave fans a reason to cheer-and a reason to sweat.
They showed resilience, offensive firepower, and the kind of high-octane hockey that makes them so dangerous. But they also reminded us that this team still has some growing to do when it comes to consistency and preparation.
The good news? They finally got that elusive three-game win streak.
The better news? They did it in comeback fashion, which can be a galvanizing moment for a team that’s still trying to find its best version.
But if the Oilers want to be taken seriously down the stretch, they can’t keep playing with fire in the first period. Because in the playoffs, comebacks like this one don’t come around so easily.
For now, though, the win column gets a little sweeter, and the Oilers keep climbing.