The early part of the 2025-26 National Hockey League campaign has been rough for the Edmonton Oilers and their fans.
Injuries, goaltending woes, underwhelming production, blown leads, and more have gone wrong in Oil Country this season. Last night's game vs the Columbus Blue Jackets , although not perfect, showed true resilience and perseverance, something that has frankly lacked over the first month or so into the season.
The Blue Jackets lost two leads and there were multiple points the game could have slipped away but the Oilers did not let it happen and rallied back, scoring three unanswered goals including the overtime winner by Jack Roslovic.
Veteran leadership rallied Oilers
Heading into the game, Oilers captain Connor McDavid challenged his team and he delivered as well as multiple veterans. Speaking to reporters McDavid said "enough is enough here. We gotta find a way to just put a good game together." He lead by example in this game scoring two of his team's five goals.
Defenceman Jake Walman potted two for himself, tying the game up twice off of his markers, including an unassisted short-handed goal in the final minute of the third period. Veteran Roslovic won it all for the Oilers in the extra period less than a minute in.
It was all around a solid effort from some very important pieces on the team, despite the high event hockey game. There were a few that starting goalie Stuart Skinner would like back but he came away with the win, which is what matters most for this Oilers club.
At the end of the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch specifically praised his captain saying "Connor wasn't going to let us lose tonight," adding "he just willed the team to win."
Oilers hope to build off of resilient effort
Although it is great that the Oilers were able to put together a strong effort and rally to victory, it is important for this to become more of the norm, instead of a one-off. They have struggled mightily with blowing leads this season but if they can find themselves on the other end more, it bodes well down the stretch and into the playoffs.
The team will have a great test as they are about to embark on what is the longest road trip of the season, seven games. The first comes Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and will see them play seven games across 10 days.