After a rough 0-3 start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers finally found some relief Tuesday night with a 4-3 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers, thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s game-winning goal.
The Oilers, who had been outscored 15-3 in their first three games, were on the verge of another loss before Evan Bouchard tied the game 3-3 with just 3:42 left in regulation, receiving a pass from captain Connor McDavid.
In overtime, Draisaitl, fresh off a third-period benching for a cross-checking penalty, completed the comeback by scoring the winner on a breakaway.
The Oilers’ top line struggled for much of the game, going 0-for-4 on the power play, but Draisaitl had the biggest redemption moment. After taking the penalty that left Edmonton shorthanded to start the third, head coach Kris Knoblauch benched him, a move that sent a strong message.
Knoblauch, in his first year behind the Oilers’ bench, isn’t afraid to hold his stars accountable — a departure from previous coaching strategies. “Some of the penalties, like mine, are unnecessary,” Draisaitl admitted. “That’s on me. I thought our penalty killers did a really good job tonight.”
With the win, Edmonton finished their season-opening home stand at 1-3, the same start they had after four games last season.
