Zach Hyman scored the decisive goal with 12:42 left in regulation, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night. Hyman’s power-play strike marked Edmonton’s first lead of the game, securing the team’s fifth victory in six outings. The Oilers improved their record to 13-3-1 over their last 17 games. Hyman’s stellar performance has made him a consistent force against Chicago, with eight points in his last eight matchups.
Edmonton Overcomes Early Deficit with Resilient Offense
Despite being outscored 2-0 in the first period, Edmonton rallied in the second. Vasily Podkolzin initiated the comeback just 22 seconds into the period, assisted by Viktor Arvidsson and Leon Draisaitl, extending Draisaitl’s point streak against Chicago to 17 games. Corey Perry and Adam Henrique followed suit, scoring in quick succession to tie the game at 3-3 by the end of the period. Edmonton’s resilience neutralized Chicago’s early lead.
The Blackhawks started strong, with Teuvo Teravainen and Nick Foligno each scoring in the opening period. Teravainen’s one-timer and Foligno’s short-side goal gave Chicago a 2-0 lead heading into the second. Ryan Donato further extended the lead midway through the period with a glove-side shot for his 13th goal of the season. However, Chicago’s defensive lapses allowed Edmonton to claw back into the game and eventually secure the win.
Goaltending Battle Defines High-Stakes Game
Edmonton’s Calvin Pickard made 19 saves, anchoring the team through critical moments. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Arvid Soderblom faced a barrage of 34 shots, stopping 30. Despite Soderblom’s efforts, he couldn’t hold off Edmonton’s aggressive offense during key stretches of the game. The Oilers’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, including the pivotal power-play goal by Hyman, was instrumental in their victory.
Saturday’s clash was the second of three meetings between Edmonton and Chicago this season. The Oilers’ victory not only secured valuable momentum but also set the stage for their final face-off on February 5 in Chicago. With both teams showcasing moments of brilliance, the concluding game promises to be an exciting finale to their season series.
