Zach Hyman secured his 47th and 48th goals, with the latter coming during Edmonton’s five-goal third period surge, leading the Oilers to an 8-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night despite trailing by two goals earlier in the game.
Contributions came from various players: Mattias Ekholm contributed two goals and an assist, while Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid also made significant impacts with a goal and multiple assists each. Other scorers included Darnell Nurse, Ryan McLeod, and Connor Brown, with goaltender Stuart Skinner making 26 saves.
McDavid highlighted the team’s satisfaction with the win but emphasized the need for more urgency as the season progresses. With the Oilers now boasting a record of 42-21-4 and sitting on a two-game winning streak, they remain focused on securing favorable positioning for the playoffs.
Hyman expressed confidence in the team’s identity and strategy moving forward, particularly with 15 games remaining in the regular season.
On the Sabres’ side, J.J. Peterka managed to score twice, with Victor Olofsson adding another goal. Despite a competitive start, Buffalo ultimately succumbed to frustration, with forward Tage Thompson acknowledging the disappointment of letting the game slip away in the final period.
The game saw a series of lead changes, with both teams displaying moments of strength and vulnerability. However, it was Edmonton’s dominant third period performance that ultimately sealed the victory. Defenseman Ekholm praised the team’s resilience, noting a shift in intensity and checking effectiveness as the game progressed, particularly evident in their commanding third-period display.