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Short-Handed Oilers Look to Even Season Series vs. Ducks: Can Edmonton Bounce Back?
The Edmonton Oilers wrap up a tough four-game road trip on Monday as they face the Anaheim Ducks in a Pacific Division showdown. With key stars sidelined and playoff momentum on the line, this final meeting between division rivals comes packed with storylines.
No McDavid, No Draisaitl — Big Holes to Fill
The Oilers dropped a 3-0 shutout to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, ending their three-game win streak. More concerning, though, was the absence of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, both out with lower-body injuries.
“You take two of the best players in the world out of your lineup — it changes things,” said Corey Perry. “We had some looks, but we couldn’t keep up pressure.”
Despite the setback, goaltender Calvin Pickard turned in a solid performance, stopping 26 of 29 shots. He’s now 20-9-1 on the year with a 2.64 GAA and .902 save percentage. The Oilers will need another strong outing from him with their offensive firepower thinned out.
Next Men Up: Hyman and Bouchard Lead the Charge
With Draisaitl and McDavid unavailable, veteran Zach Hyman (27 goals) now carries the scoring load, while defenseman Evan Bouchard has chipped in an impressive 62 points, ranking third on the team.
Trent Frederic, recently acquired from Boston, made his Oilers debut Saturday, logging 7:10 of ice time and two shots. He’ll look to shake off the rust and provide some grit in the bottom six.
This will be Edmonton’s fourth and final meeting with Anaheim this season. The Ducks hold a 2-1 advantage, with wins in December and March. Edmonton’s lone win came on January 3 with a tight 3-2 victory.
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Ducks Aim to Play Spoiler
As for the Ducks, they’ve been officially eliminated from playoff contention but would love nothing more than to play spoiler to their division rivals. After Saturday’s 6-2 loss to Vancouver, Anaheim has now dropped two straight and three of their last four.
Forward Troy Terry was blunt postgame: “It felt like they were getting to the net before us. They just wanted it more.”
Terry leads the team with 53 points and 33 assists, while Frank Vatrano, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Terry himself all share the team lead in goals (20). That balance will be key against a depleted Edmonton squad.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal, who made 20 saves in the Vancouver loss, now holds a 22-21-6 record with a 3.07 GAA and .903 save percentage across 50 appearances.
What’s at Stake: Edmonton’s Playoff Push
The Oilers aren’t just playing for pride — they’re battling for playoff positioning in the crowded Pacific Division. They currently sit third in the division with 93 points, but every game counts in this final stretch.
Even short-handed, this is a game Edmonton has to win. And while Anaheim isn’t heading to the postseason, they’ve proven they can be a thorn in Edmonton’s side.
Will the Oilers level the season series, or will the Ducks deliver another blow to Edmonton’s playoff seeding?
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