NHL: San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn

3 Most Impressive Edmonton Oilers players from 3-2 OT win over San Jose Sharks feat. Mattias Ekholm

Modified Dec 22, 2024 03:06 GMT

The Edmonton Oilers entered today's game at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton fresh off a comeback victory over the Boston Bruins in which they initially trailed, but ultimately found a way to emerge victorious.

Bringing in the struggling San Jose Sharks, the Oilers were hoping to make it two in a row. While the game didn't start the right way, it ended well once again. The Oilers scored the game-tying goal with 18 seconds remaining and once again finished the job in overtime.

Luke Kunin gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead just 3:23 into the first period, but the red-hot Zach Hyman responded with his 12th goal of the season to knot the score at 1-1. However, Jan Ruuta restored San Jose's lead with his 1st goal of the season.

Neither team was able to light the lamp in the second period and for most of the 3rd. With goaltender Calvin Pickard pulling for the extra attacker, Mattias Ekholm tied the score at the 19:42 mark of the final frame:

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In overtime, Leon Draisaitl played the role of hero by striking just 18 seconds into the extra session:

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Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov performed admirably for the Sharks, making 39 saves on the 42 shots that he faced. Meanwhile, Calvin Pickard made 20 saves.

3 Most impressive Edmonton Oilers players from 3-2 OT win over San Jose Sharks

#3 Calvin Pickard

The Oilers got solid goaltending from Pickard on Saturday, as he turned aside a handful of high-percentage scoring opportunities and kept the Sharks from increasing their lead.

“He gives us a chance every time he’s in there,” said Draisaitl of Pickard. “He makes the big stops. He seemingly, knock on wood, wins every game that he goes in. He’s been nothing but amazing for us the last two years.”

#2. Mattias Ekholm

Not only did Ekholm come through with the overtime-winning goal against the Bruins earlier in the week, but he also scored in a second-consecutive game by scoring the game-tying goal late in regulation.

Ekholm also finished with a +2 rating along with seven shots, he was second in ice time only to Evan Bouchard.

#1. Leon Draisaitl

One of the best players in the NHL, who is having another fine season, Draisaitl gave the Sharks an unfortunate demonstration of why he's so good.

He's now on pace for 60 goals (which would be a career high) and 67 assists, and he delivered the game-winner to give Edmonton another pair of points.