I want to believe the Edmonton Oilers this time. I really do. 

But there is a California-sized steel trap hovering above this afternoon’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Oilers close out an overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, take all four possible points on the road this week, setting up a matchup that will have grave importance on the Pacific Division winner. They played well in both games.

“We’re looking more like we’re playing a playoff game, like things matter. Attention to detail and we’re simplifying our game. It’s nice to see,” said coach Kris Knoblauch.

But we’ve seen this movie before. 

These Oilers have resisted winning streaks all season long, going 1-9-2 after winning two in a row. It’s a matinee game which repeals Oilers success historically, going 1-6 this season in the afternoon. The first home game after success on the road…

From the time that Evan Bouchard scored his seventh career overtime goal in Sin City, to opening warmups back at Rogers Place this afternoon, the Oilers will not have touched the ice. 

It reeks of a flat spot. And this team has not dealt well with “flat” or “trap” spots on their schedule at all. 

But…

There are signs

…The Oilers are putting together a strong structured game more often than not in the month of March. 

After a tough call on Zach Hyman in overtime, the penalty kill stepped up for their biggest sequence of the season. Connor Murphy, Darnell Nurse, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were stranded for the full two minutes, as Vegas fired four shots in overtime onto Connor Ingram. 

Ingram, nor the skaters in front of him, got rattled. After a quick transition up ice, the Oilers turned the tables for an offensive zone draw, leading to the Bouchard blast to claim victory. 

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5:45 PM · Mar 27, 2026

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After allowing goals in three straight games while shorthanded, the Oilers penalty killers strapped in and denied all three VGK man advantage opportunities, but none bigger than overtime. 

“Massive kill since I was the one in the box,” said Zach Hyman post-game. “I was cheering them on. Not easy, obviously.” 

There weren’t passengers, nor loads of........

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