Jack Roslovic’s overtime heroics seal the deal for Edmonton
The defining moment arrived early in overtime when Cam York’s miscue at the Philadelphia blue line created an immediate opportunity for Edmonton. As York fell to the ice and lost control of the puck, Roslovic pounced on the loose rubber and raced up ice with Savoie flanking him on what became an uncontested two-on-zero rush. With Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar forced to make a decision, Roslovic made no mistake, finishing the play to secure the victory.
This marked Roslovic’s second overtime winner in consecutive games, continuing his remarkable production since joining the Oilers organization. The versatile forward now has 10 points in just nine games with Edmonton, including five goals and five assists. His immediate impact has been one of the few consistent bright spots on an Oilers roster that has undergone significant turnover, with seven of the team’s 12 forwards being new additions this season.
For Roslovic, the goal represented more than just another tally on the scoresheet. Having delivered an overtime winner against Columbus just days earlier, the center has quickly established himself as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations. His confidence in the extra frame has given Edmonton a reliable weapon when games extend beyond regulation.
Matt Savoie also deserves recognition for his role in the play, reading the situation perfectly and joining the rush to create the two-on-none advantage. The young forward recorded two assists on the night, including the primary helper on Evan Bouchard’s opening goal in the first period. Savoie’s continued development and chemistry with his linemates has provided Edmonton with additional depth scoring options.
Evan Bouchard’s late first-period strike opens the scoring
The Oilers broke through with just 55 seconds remaining in the opening frame, showcasing the transition game that has become their trademark. Connor McDavid, displaying his exceptional vision, sent the puck back to the blue line where Bouchard unleashed one of his signature one-timers from between the top of the face-off circles. The blast beat Vladar cleanly to give Edmonton a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The goal capped off a dominant stretch for the Oilers, who outshot the Flyers 8-0 over the final eight minutes of the period. Edmonton’s ability to control possession and generate sustained offensive pressure had Philadelphia on their heels throughout much of the first 20 minutes. The Oilers’ puck possession statistics continue to lead the league at over 20 minutes per game, and that dominance was on full display during the first period.
McDavid’s assist on the play extended his season-long point streak to six games, giving him 11 points (four goals, seven assists) during that stretch. The captain’s consistent production has been vital for Edmonton as they navigate through an inconsistent start to the campaign. His ability to create scoring chances from seemingly nothing continues to open up ice for his teammates.
Bouchard’s goal also highlighted the effectiveness of Edmonton’s power transition game. The ability to quickly move from defense to offense has been a calling card for this Oilers team, and when they execute properly, they’re nearly impossible to defend. The quick strike before the period ended gave Edmonton momentum heading into the middle frame and set the tone for what would be a tightly contested affair.
Matvei Michkov’s power-play marker ties the game
Philadelphia responded early in the second period when their young star Matvei Michkov converted on the power play at the 15:38 mark. The Russian rookie fired a wrist shot from near the top of the left circle that found its way past Stuart Skinner to knot the game at 1-1. The goal was Michkov’s third in as many games, continuing his impressive adjustment to the NHL level.
The power-play tally came during a stretch where the Flyers needed to find a response to Edmonton’s continued pressure. Despite being outshot 25-11 through the first 35 minutes of the game, Philadelphia managed to capitalize on one of their limited opportunities to even the scoreboard. Michkov’s ability to score in bunches has been a revelation for the Flyers, who have leaned heavily on the young forward’s offensive capabilities.
The goal also highlighted one of Edmonton’s ongoing challenges this season: discipline. The Oilers have struggled at times to stay out of the penalty box, and giving a skilled team like Philadelphia chances with the man advantage can be costly. While Skinner made several key saves on the penalty kill throughout the night, he couldn’t stop Michkov’s well-placed shot.
Following the goal, the game settled into a defensive battle with both teams playing cautiously in the third period. Neither club wanted to make the critical mistake that would cost them the game, resulting in a more structured, less wide-open final frame. The conservative approach from both sides made it clear that overtime was becoming increasingly likely barring a late breakdown.
Travis Konecny’s disallowed goal creates dramatic swing
The most controversial moment of the game came with just 24 seconds remaining in regulation when Travis Konecny appeared to give the Flyers a dramatic last-second victory. Konecny redirected a Travis Sanheim point shot past Skinner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and seemingly ending Edmonton’s night in defeat. Players poured off both benches, and for a moment, it appeared the Oilers’ road trip had started with a heartbreaking loss.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Officials immediately initiated a video review to check for a potential offside entry into the offensive zone. After several minutes of review, the call came back: Owen Tippett had been offside, and the goal was waved off. The decision deflated the Wells Fargo Center and gave the Oilers new life heading into overtime.
The overturned goal represented a significant momentum shift in a game that had been tightly contested throughout. For Philadelphia, the emotional swing from euphoria to disappointment proved difficult to overcome. The Oilers, meanwhile, recognized they had been given a second chance and made sure to capitalize when Roslovic found himself on that two-on-zero rush moments into the extra period.
Close games have become a defining characteristic for both teams this season. Edmonton entered the contest with a 5-6 record in one-goal games, while Philadelphia stood at 4-5 in such situations. The ability to win tight games often separates playoff contenders from pretenders, making the Oilers’ resilience in this contest all the more valuable as they embark on their challenging road swing through the Eastern Conference.
Stuart Skinner’s steady performance provides stability
While much of the attention focused on Roslovic’s overtime heroics and Konecny’s disallowed goal, Stuart Skinner’s solid performance in net deserves recognition. The Oilers goaltender stopped 20 of 21 shots, providing the steady presence Edmonton needed after some inconsistent goaltending earlier in the season. Skinner looked calm and composed throughout, particularly during several dangerous Philadelphia rushes in the third period.
The performance marked four solid periods plus two overtime sessions for Skinner, who has faced his share of criticism this season. For a goaltender who has been under scrutiny, these types of performances are essential for building confidence and showing the coaching staff they can rely on him during the challenging road trip ahead. Skinner made the saves he needed to make and didn’t give up any soft goals.
Particularly impressive was Skinner’s composure after Michkov’s power-play goal. Rather than letting one goal snowball into multiple mistakes, he locked back in and gave his team a chance to win. That mental fortitude will be crucial as the Oilers navigate through seven away games in 11 days, facing fresh opponents who will all be looking to exploit any weakness in Edmonton’s defensive structure.
The goaltending stability provided by Skinner in this game cannot be overstated. When a team is struggling on the road, as Edmonton has been with their 2-5-2 record away from home to start the season, having confidence in your last line of defense becomes paramount. If Skinner can build on this performance throughout the road trip, it could be the difference between a successful swing and a disastrous one.
The victory over Philadelphia represents more than just two points in the standings for the Oilers. It marks the beginning of their longest road trip in 12 years, a seven-game Eastern Conference gauntlet that will test their resolve and ability to perform away from Rogers Place. Starting the trip with a win, especially one that required resilience after Konecny’s near-winner, sets a positive tone for the challenging schedule ahead. For Roslovic, his second straight overtime goal has firmly established him as a clutch performer, while Skinner’s steady presence provides hope that Edmonton’s goaltending situation may finally be stabilizing. As the Oilers continue their journey through the Eastern Conference, they’ll need more performances like this—tight defensive structures, timely scoring, and reliable goaltending—to turn their road record around and stay competitive in the playoff race.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.