Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks

The Edmonton Oilers needed a spark to close out their three-game homestand at Rogers Place, and they found it in the most dramatic fashion possible. Evan Bouchard’s overtime heroics sealed a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night, giving head coach Kris Knoblauch his 100th career NHL win and providing the Oilers with their second consecutive win at home. The victory came on an evening when Canadian sports fans were glued to their screens for more than one reason, as the Toronto Blue Jays battled in Game 7 of the World Series, creating a unique atmosphere inside the arena.

The win improved Edmonton’s record to 6-4-3, banking 15 points through the first month of the season. While the Oilers haven’t played their cleanest hockey, they’re finding ways to collect points when it matters most. Before this showdown, the Blackhawks and Oilers met with high expectations for Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid to showcase their elite talents, and the game delivered on that promise with both superstars making their mark in different ways.

How the Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks unfolded with power-play dominance

The Oilers’ special teams unit continued its torrid pace, converting on two of their four power-play opportunities against Chicago. This performance pushed their man-advantage success rate to an NHL-leading 33.3 percent on the season, and an even more impressive 50 percent over their last six games. Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 55 seconds into the second period on a carry-over power play, firing a trademark one-timer from the top of the circle past Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight.

The goal extended Draisaitl’s point streak to nine games and marked his 19th career goal against Chicago, continuing his dominance over the Blackhawks. Connor McDavid orchestrated the play with a clean zone entry before setting up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who delivered a perfect feed to the German sniper. The chemistry between these elite players has been building throughout the early season, and it showed on this critical power-play strike.

Jack Roslovic, inserted into the top power-play unit in place of the healthy-scratched David Tomasek, made the most of his opportunity midway through the second period. With Colton Dach serving a tripping penalty, McDavid found Roslovic in the crease for a textbook back-door tap-in that restored Edmonton’s lead at 2-1. The goal was Roslovic’s second in four games and demonstrated the depth scoring that the Oilers need to complement their superstar-driven offense.

The power-play success wasn’t just about individual talent—it reflected improved movement and unpredictability. Rather than relying solely on the Draisaitl one-timer, Edmonton created passing lanes through better positioning and willingness to attack from multiple angles. This evolution makes their special teams even more dangerous and difficult to defend against.

Evan Bouchard’s redemption in the Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks

Bouchard faced criticism following Thursday’s overtime loss to the Rangers, where costly turnovers contributed to the defeat. The defenceman addressed the media about his performance, taking accountability for his mistakes. Just two days later, he delivered the game-winning goal in the most clutch moment possible, burying his own rebound 2:43 into overtime to secure the extra point.

“Isn’t that the most Bouch thing ever?” McDavid said after the game, referencing Bouchard’s media availability before scoring the winner. “Just stands in there like he does. You guys can say what you want about him. We love him in there. We know when he’s at his best, he’s among the very best. We’ve got his back no matter what’s going on.”

The overtime sequence showcased the Oilers’ elite trio at their finest. McDavid carried the puck into Chicago’s zone, momentarily lost his balance, and collected himself on one knee before pushing a pass to Draisaitl. As Mattias Ekholm changed to get Bouchard on the ice, the timing proved perfect. Draisaitl and Bouchard executed a crossing pattern at the top of the circles, with the German delivering a feed for Bouchard’s one-timer.

Knight made a spectacular initial save, but Bouchard showed composure by tracking the rebound and flipping it into the back of the net. The goal was Bouchard’s 190th career assist, putting him just 10 away from the 200-assist milestone. More importantly, it silenced critics and demonstrated the offensive defenceman’s ability to bounce back from adversity—a quality championship teams need from their core players.

Stuart Skinner’s birthday brilliance in the Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks

On his 27th birthday, Stuart Skinner delivered one of his best performances of the young season, stopping 27 of 29 shots for a .931 save percentage. The performance was crucial for an Oilers team that has struggled with consistency in net, as this marked only Skinner’s third game with a save percentage above .900 in his first eight starts.

Chicago generated 27 scoring chances, including 11 high-danger opportunities, with 2.81 expected goals for in all situations, according to Natural Stat Trick. When a goaltender allows fewer goals than expected based on the quality of chances against, it indicates he’s doing his job at a high level. Skinner made several timely saves that kept Edmonton in the game during critical moments.

The most significant stop came early in the third period with Edmonton clinging to a 2-1 lead. After Bouchard turned the puck over on the power play, Ilya Mikheyev broke in alone on a breakaway. Skinner made a clutch save to preserve the lead, bailing out his teammate after a costly mistake. These are the saves that build confidence and trust within a team, and Skinner’s ability to come through in that moment proved invaluable.

The Blackhawks outshot the Oilers 11-4 in the third period, putting significant pressure on Edmonton’s netminder. Skinner remained composed, making big saves to keep the game tied and eventually force overtime. Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky scored for Chicago, with Burakovsky’s goal coming 3:19 into the third period off a rebound created by Artyom Levshunov’s point shot. Skinner couldn’t stop everything, but his timely saves gave his team a chance to win.

The bizarre backdrop of the Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks

The game unfolded under unusual circumstances, with Rogers Place showing Game 7 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers on the scoreboard in split-screen fashion during the first and second periods. The competing entertainment created a surreal atmosphere, with fans and even players caught between two sporting events demanding their attention.

“It was bizarre,” McDavid admitted after the game. “I found myself watching the Jays game, sitting on the bench, listening to the crowd while I’m on the ice. It was very strange, but what a historic moment and I couldn’t be more gutted for those guys. Obviously, we know what that feels like.”

Head coach Kris Knoblauch noticed the distraction as well, acknowledging the excitement in the building when it appeared the Blue Jays might win. Random cheers erupted during play, responding to developments in Toronto rather than the action on the ice. For players accustomed to having full crowd attention, the divided focus created an odd dynamic.

Bouchard echoed the sentiment, saying it was “definitely different” but that the team managed to maintain focus and secure the victory despite the unusual circumstances. The Oilers, having experienced Game 7 and Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years, understood the heartbreak the Blue Jays would feel after their extra-innings defeat. The shared experience of Canadian sports gave the evening an emotional weight beyond just hockey.

What the Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks means moving forward

This victory closed out Edmonton’s three-game homestand with a 2-0-1 record, a solid result that keeps them within striking distance in the Pacific Division. The Oilers haven’t played their best hockey consistently, but they’re collecting points during a period when many teams struggle to find their identity. “We’re finding ways to get points,” McDavid noted. “It hasn’t been very pretty, but it’s October hockey.”

The concern remains Edmonton’s slow starts. This was only the fifth time in 13 games that they scored first, and they’ve trailed far too often early in games. The Oilers managed just six first-period goals through their first five games, forcing them to play catch-up too frequently. Against better teams, that deficit becomes increasingly difficult to overcome.

However, several positive trends emerged from this Edmonton Oilers overtime victory over Chicago Blackhawks. The power play continues operating at an elite level, ranking first in the NHL. Skinner showed signs of finding his game at the right time. Depth players like Roslovic are contributing when given opportunities. And the team’s core leaders are responding to adversity with clutch performances.

Similar to how the Rangers rallied for an overtime victory in Edmonton, these types of games often serve as catalysts for teams finding their stride. The Oilers head out on a mini two-game road trip to face the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars, two tests that will reveal whether this victory represents a turning point or just another inconsistent result in an up-and-down season. With Knoblauch reaching his 100th career win and Bouchard bouncing back from criticism, the Oilers have momentum heading into a crucial stretch of games where establishing consistency will determine their season’s trajectory.