Oilers strike twice early in the third to beat Sharks 3-1 in San Jose

Ekholm provides the only breakthrough for 40 minutes

Mattias Ekholm gave Edmonton the only goal of the first two periods when he scored at 12:37 of the opening frame, finishing a play set up by Isaac Howard and Josh Samanski. In a game that never offered much separation on the shot clock, that goal mattered because it carried through the entire second period unchanged.

The Oilers did not pile up volume. They finished with 20 shots, the same total as San Jose, but they were cleaner on the scoreboard when chances did arrive. Edmonton also owned the faceoff circle at 58.5 per cent, winning 31 draws to San Jose’s 22, and that helped keep the game tilted just enough in its favour during long stretches of a low-event night.

San Jose matched the game physically, out-hitting Edmonton 34-24 and blocking 11 shots to the Oilers’ nine. The Sharks also kept the special teams battle from hurting them, killing both Edmonton power plays after taking two minor penalties in a game that was otherwise disciplined on both sides. At 1-0 through 40 minutes, though, the Sharks still needed a finish.

A 2:27 burst changes the entire night

The game turned quickly once the third period began. Podkolzin doubled the lead at 3:13 with his fifth goal of the season, a slap shot created by Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. That goal gave Edmonton a little breathing room after spending the intermission protecting a one-goal edge.

The Oilers did not stop there. Just 2:27 later, Formenton made it 3-0 at 5:40 with a backhand, taking feeds from Mathieu Joseph and Connor Murphy. What had been a tense, one-shot game suddenly became a three-goal cushion, and Edmonton had created it with a short, efficient stretch rather than a long territorial push.

That sequence also spread the offence around the lineup. Ekholm scored from the blue line, Podkolzin added the insurance marker, and Formenton supplied another finish from the forward group. McDavid’s assist was his 10th, Bouchard picked up his sixth, and Edmonton’s supporting cast did the rest of the scoring work needed on a night when the team did not need a track meet to win.

Celebrini answers, but Jarry closes the door

San Jose finally solved Tristan Jarry at 11:19 of the third when Macklin Celebrini scored on a wrist shot, with Michael Misa collecting the assist. It cut the deficit to 3-1 and gave the Sharks something to chase in the back half of the period.

Jarry made sure that was as close as it got. He finished with 19 saves on 20 shots for a .950 save percentage, including two saves while Edmonton was shorthanded. The Sharks had only one power-play opportunity all night and could not use it to create a second goal.

At the other end, Yaroslav Askarov stopped 17 of 20 shots. The Sharks did enough defensive work to stay in range for much of the evening, but their offence never produced the second wave required to really test Edmonton after Celebrini’s goal. San Jose’s 20 shots matched the Oilers total, yet Edmonton had already done the decisive damage.

Our take: Edmonton won the details that this game was built on

This was not a game Edmonton won by overwhelming San Jose in raw volume. The shot count was even, and the Sharks were the more physical side by hits. The difference showed up in smaller areas: Edmonton finished three of its 20 shots, controlled the dots, and found the only scoring that mattered over the first 45 minutes.

The faceoff edge stands out. Edmonton won 58.5 per cent of the draws, with Owen Michaels going 10-for-12, Leon Draisaitl 6-for-9 and Jason Dickinson 8-for-14. In a game with limited offence, those extra possessions carry weight. San Jose’s best regular faceoff numbers were more modest, with Alexander Wennberg at an even 8-for-16 and Celebrini at 6-for-16.

There is still something for Edmonton to tighten. The Oilers were charged with 18 giveaways and went 0-for-2 on the power play, so this was efficient rather than spotless. For San Jose, the likely lesson is simpler: matching shots and bringing more contact is useful only if it leads to more finish or more puck control in key moments. The Sharks stayed close long enough to matter, but once Edmonton scored twice in 2:27, the margin in execution was too clear to ignore.

Scoring moments

1. 1st · 12:37

   Mattias Ekholm Goal (1) Slap Shot, assists: Isaac Howard (2), Josh Samanski (1)

2. 3rd · 3:13

   Vasily Podkolzin Goal (5) Slap Shot, assists: Connor McDavid (10), Evan Bouchard (6)

3. 3rd · 5:40

   Alex Formenton Goal (1) Backhand, assists: Mathieu Joseph (2), Connor Murphy (1)

4. 3rd · 11:19

   Macklin Celebrini Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: Michael Misa (3)