The Edmonton Oilers looked like they were skating in quicksand to start Thursday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks. Two goals allowed in the first 95 seconds? That’s not just a rough start-it’s the kind of opening that usually sets the tone for a long, frustrating night.
And for a while, that’s exactly what it looked like.
The Sharks added a third goal midway through the first period and carried that 3-0 cushion all the way into the third. San Jose was in control, dictating pace, winning puck battles, and looking every bit like a team trying to make a statement in their climb toward playoff relevance.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about the Oilers, it’s that they don’t go quietly.
Leon Draisaitl got the comeback rolling less than two minutes into the final frame, breaking the shutout and injecting a little life into the Edmonton bench. It didn’t immediately shift the momentum-San Jose held that 3-1 lead for more than 15 minutes-but the spark was there.
Then came crunch time.
With just over three minutes left and the goalie pulled, Connor McDavid did what Connor McDavid does-he made something out of nothing. A laser of a shot, and suddenly it was 3-2. The Oilers had a pulse.
Less than three minutes later, with the net empty again and the clock ticking under a minute, Evan Bouchard stepped into the moment. Tie game. Just like that.
And once the game got to overtime, it felt inevitable.
Zach Hyman needed just 66 seconds to finish the job, capping off a stunning 4-3 comeback win that left the Sharks reeling and the Oilers celebrating yet another reminder of their resilience-and their star power.
San Jose had its chances, including a would-be goal from Barclay Goodrow in the second period that was waved off for goalie interference. That one stung. Had it stood, it might’ve been the dagger.
Instead, it ended up being a footnote in a game that showcased the Oilers’ never-say-die mentality. Down three goals, on the road, against a hungry team fighting for playoff respect-they still found a way.
That’s what separates contenders from pretenders. The Oilers didn’t play their best hockey for most of the night, but when it mattered most, their stars showed up. And in this league, that can make all the difference.