The highs and lows of Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey are an experience like no other, and Game 3 was a great example of it.

The Oilers were outplayed, then took the lead, were outplayed again, and took another lead, only to fall to the Anaheim Ducks 7-4, with the Ducks now holding a 2-1 series lead.

That said, a few Oilers are heading into Game 4 riding a lot of momentum, while others need to step up with better and more consistent efforts. We take a look at some of those key players below, along with insights from Vasily Podkolzin’s skills coach, Ned Lukacevic.

Vasily Podkolzin will need to bring that fighting spirit into Game 4

Podkolzin has been one of the best Oilers in the series so far, which really is no surprise, with four points and 16 hits through three games.

He opened the scoring in Game 3 for his first goal of the postseason with a wicked wrister, and led the Oilers in several five-on-five metrics last game, according to Natural Stat Trick, including a 75% shots-for percentage (SF%), 59.86% expected goals for percentage (xGF%), and 75% high danger chances for percentage (HDCF%).

On top of that, he blocked a shot in the second period, stayed on the ice to finish the play, got looked at, and returned without even a wince of pain showing on his face throughout the entire sequence.

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JEFF VIEL AND VASILY PODKOLZIN DROP THE GLOVES IN THE FINAL SECONDS 💥

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4:50 AM · Apr 25, 2026

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Also, I previously mentioned that we’ll likely see the best of Podkolzin this postseason, in a playoff-hero type of role, and so far, we’re seeing that.

Not only is he hitting, blocking shots, and scoring, but his fight with Jeffrey Viel at the end of last game was a statement — not only to the Ducks to let them know that the series is far from over, but to his teammates as well.

In a conversation with Podkolzin’s skills coach Ned Lukacevic, he talked about the forward’s fight at the end of last game, and he mentioned:

“Pods continues to amaze you with his goals and physicality but it’s not just that. It’s his ‘bleed orange and blue’ attitude. That fight with Viel, that was his way of putting the team on his back.

Also, with his fight at the end of the game, I’m calling it right now. Edmonton is going to torch Anaheim for the next three games. That fight is going to fire the rest of the room up. I know guys like McDavid and Leon have to be so fired up about that.”

Podkolzin will need to continue setting the bar for his team in Game 4, and we’ll share Lukacevic’s thoughts on how the Oilers can improve a little bit later on.

Darnell Nurse needs to step up in Game 4

Darnell Nurse had some good moments in Game 3, with a few effective rushes, but a lack of defensive effort at times cost the team.

He........

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