Summary:
- Vasily Podkolzin scored the game-winner with just over a minute left, sealing the Edmonton Oilers’ comeback.
- The Oilers improved to 4-3-1, their best start in three years despite uneven play.
- Connor McDavid tallied three assists, while David Tomasek scored his first NHL goal.
It might not always feel like it, but the Edmonton Oilers are off to their best start in three years in the NHL. Thursday night’s 6–5 win over the Montréal Canadiens was anything but routine, but it showed flashes of the team’s trademark resilience.
Vasily Podkolzin played the hero, scoring the game-winner with just over a minute left and adding an assist as the Oilers pulled off a wild third-period comeback.
David Tomasek, Adam Henrique, Andrew Mangiapane, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also found the back of the net, helping lift Edmonton to a 4-3-1 record and their second straight win.
For comparison, the Oilers started 2-5-1 in 2023 and 3-4-1 in 2024—both seasons that ended with runs to the Stanley Cup Final. This year’s record, while modest, is at least a sign of progress.
Defenceman Darnell Nurse, who collected two assists in the win said,
We’re sitting here at 4-3-1, there have been some seasons with a lot tougher trekking from game eight. I think our group knows we have to be a lot better… it’s grabbing it now as a group.
The Oilers’ performance was uneven at best. They managed to take a 3-1 lead midway through the second despite being outplayed for much of the game.
Nonetheless, Montréal who defeated the Calgary Flames in overtime in their last match came roaring back again, scoring three times in less than two minutes, including two quick ones from Cole Caufield, to seize control. The Canadiens pushed ahead 5-3 before Edmonton’s power play turned the tide, scoring twice in under a minute to tie things up.
Podkolzin: “We’ve Been There a Million Times”
Podkolzin’s late backhand finish, scored while falling to his knees, sealed the win and gave him his first goal of the season.
We’ve been there a million times, and the guys have been there a million times. Down by two for the Oilers is nothing, I guess. And the guys have proved it a million times… finding a way to get two points was good.
PODZILLA 🦖 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/cgcpuMeyK6
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 24, 2025
Not everyone was thrilled with the officiating. Caufield voiced frustration after a penalty on teammate Josh Anderson led to Edmonton’s tying goal.
I’m still trying to figure that out. I think the refs kind of took over the game there, and kudos to them for winning it.
Despite the victory, the Oilers weren’t satisfied. “It just wasn’t good enough,” said Nugent-Hopkins. Head coach Kris Knoblauch agreed:
Maybe the last 10 minutes of the game, it looked like we were a team… We’ve got a lot of things to clean up.
Connor McDavid picked up three assists, while Tomasek celebrated his first NHL goal. If you’re feeling lucky after that comeback, you can grab a sports welcome bonus at TigerGaming and put your predictions to the test on the Oilers, as they will be back on the road for a two-game trip, building momentum starting with Seattle on Saturday.
The Canadiens will also travel to Vancouver, where they will meet the Canucks for their third game of a four-game road trip.
