In a game where you lose 7-2, it is hard to find positives and for very obvious reasons. On Thursday night, the Edmonton Oilers visited Dallas to face the Stars and it was a tough watch for anybody supporting the Oilers.
Before diving into any positive notes in the game, it is important to touch on the glaring negatives in this game, aside from the final score.
The main negative being the play of presumptive starting goalie, Tristan Jarry. He finished the night stopping only 20 of 27 shots for an abysmal .741 save percentage. There is much that can be said about his underlying numbers but you cannot ignore the fact that he has a 4.17 goals against average and .855 save percentage since joining the Oilers in December.
Tristan Jarry since his Oilers debut on December 13
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 13, 2026
.855 Save% (58th out of 60 qualified goalies)
4.17 GAA (60th out of 60 qualified goalies)
*Minimum 10 GP
There are other negatives like the play of Darnell Nurse tonight and overall this season, which is likely why he and his $9.25 million cap hit is a possibility to be traded this summer. Of course, the powerplay was not firing on all cylinders in this game, failing to capitalize on three man advantages. However, given the fact that it is the best in the NHL, it should not remain a long term issue.
Trent Frederic is a new player since the Olympic break
Since his acquisition at the 2025 trade deadline, Trent Frederic has faced plenty of criticism as an Oiler and rightfully so. He has not been the 30-plus point power forward he was as a Boston Bruin and the Oilers are now locked in with Frederic to an eight-year extension by Stan Bowman.
However, since the NHL returned to action following the Olympic break, Frederic has seemed to turn a corner. This comes after many called for his contract to be bought out but he has turned his season around. He has been much more physically engaged, has been making a positive impact more often than not analytically, and has even scored a goal.
In this game, his line along Josh Samanski and Adam Henrique was a positive according to moneypuck.com, thanks in large part to his contributions. If he can continue to play at this level, he will be a loved player for the Oilers and their fans.
Rookie Josh Samanski deserves an NHL role
The Oilers second big German centre, rookie Josh Samanski has spent some time up and down this season between the Oilers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Throwing even more changes into the mix, he was a member of the German national team at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
Although he has not lit the lamp at any level, Samanski has proven his worth as a depth centre for the Oilers and is deserving of an opportunity to be their permanent fourth line centre down the stretch. He brings size at 6'2 195lbs, smart two-way play, and strong plays on the faceoff dot -- just not in this game.
Deadline acquisitions making positive impact
Look no further than the box score, where Jason Dickinson, was one of only two goal scorers for the Oilers in this game. That goal aside, he has been playing well and has adapted to his shutdown role well and has seemed to win over the fans with his attitude. He was one of the Oilers big acquisitions at the deadline and has proven his worth so far.
Another big piece that Bowman and Co. added at the deadline is right-shot blueliner Connor Murphy who, like Dickinson, was brought in to help improve the club's defence. He has worked well in that role and this game was no different, even despite the Oilers allowing seven goals against.
In over 20 minutes of time on ice, Murphy was one of only two Oilers blueliners to finish without a negative in their plus/minus category. He also led the Oilers in penalty kill ice time. He has been putting in the work and has been a very welcomed addition to the team's backend.
Oilers face Blues
Despite the defeating loss, the Oilers get no rest and are set to face the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. Given where the Blues are in the NHL standings, it should be an easy win for the Oilers but there are still emotions invested in the game, especially with former Oilers Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg on the other side.