After letting one get away in Utah, you had to wonder how much gas the Oilers would have left for the second half of a back-to-back in San Jose, and it didn’t take long to get your answer. The boys looked like a team annoyed by what happened the night before, and they hit the ice looking to do something about it. The details were tight, the ice was tilted Edmonton’s way most of the time, and instead of chasing the game or clawing for every inch, our side dictated how it all shook out. In the end, the Oilers handled their business with a McDavid-led 5-2 win that felt exactly like the response they needed to get the train back on the rails and keep their Pacific Division title hopes alive.

Even with the injuries the Oilers are working through, there’s no greater gift than having Connor McDavid on a goal heater. As much as there’s no filling Draisaitl or Hyman’s shoes, you have to admit that McDavid going supernova is about as good a hedge as you can get. On a night when the Oilers really needed a win, their captain threw the team on his shoulders and put on an offensive clinic that was as dominant as it was beautiful. Not only was No. 97 the best player on the ice by an international flight, but it also felt like he was going to generate whatever offence was needed to lock in the win no matter what. He wanted it more than everyone else, and it showed.

From the moment the puck dropped until the final buzzer, Connor McDavid was a man on a mission, and there was no one in teal who was going to stop him. Not only did he notch his 15th career hat trick before the second period was even over, but he also factored in on the other two goals with assists. Five goals, five points for the captain, and another night where we should all feel lucky to watch him. Need another reason? The goal heater he’s on right now is real. With the three goals he scored against the Sharks, McDavid has now tucked in 10 over his last nine games. I don’t know about you, dearest Internet friends, but it’s hard not to feel lucky that we have him going into full freak mode at the most important time of the year.

If there’s been one thing that hasn’t made any sense lately, it’s been the power play going being a total non-event. The PP is usually the Oilers’ bread and butter, the thing we all count on when the game gets tight, and yet here we were watching the boys go 2-for-20 without Leon Draisaitl and wondering if there were any solutions in sight. That’s why seeing the Oilers snap out of the funk with a perfect 3-for-3 effort against the Sharks was as much as a relief as the goals were important. The puck movement was crisp, the decisions were quick, and instead of overthinking every touch, they got pucks to the net in three very different ways. Injuries or not, this team needs its power play to be a weapon, and for a night at least, it looked exactly like the difference-maker we’re used to.

And it wasn’t just that they scored, it was that they found such different ways to get the job done. You’ve got Connor McDavid pulling off another ridiculous highlight that made him look like an alien, Vasily Podkolzin battling his way to the top of the crease for a greasy finish, and Jack Roslovic cashing in on a breakaway to put the third power play marker on the board. That’s variety, that’s confidence, and that’s what this group can look like when it’s feeling itself again, even with two major pieces missing from the equation. If this is the power play starting to wake up at the exact right time, then suddenly a lot of the concerns we’ve had over the last couple of weeks don’t feel nearly as loud. Dare to dream? Why not?

With the way Tuesday’s game went in Utah, I can’t be the only one who got nervous when Tristan Jarry replaced Connor Ingram in net for the third period. We still have no idea what we’re going to get from Jarry on any given night, and being up by three goals with 20 minutes to go is exactly the kind of lead that can disappear in a hurry if your goalie isn’t dialled in. Add in the mystery that we have no idea why Ingram left the game outside of seeing a clip of him trying to stretch something out, and it was easy to see why anyone cheering for Edmonton could be nervous. Starter out, question mark in? Oh boy. Good time for the boys to offer one of their best defensive games in a while.

But to Jarry’s credit, he stopped everything the Sharks threw his way in the third period, securing the win that Connor Ingram started. Jarry wasn’t busy with only four shots against, but he still handled his business just over 24 hours after a very tough night in Utah. If we’re looking for even the smallest silver lining to come out of the Ingram situation, maybe it’s a baby step forward for his backup’s confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to put any weight behind four stops being meaningful relative to what we’ve seen from him so far. But depending on what happens with Ingram, we may not have any other choice but to support Jarry in whatever comes next. Never a dull moment around here.

Edmonton hockey fans — think you and your crew know playoff hockey? Prove it at the Nation Playoff Draft Party on Friday, April 17th at the River Cree Resort & Casino. Build your playoff roster, compete against other teams throughout the postseason, and battle for $2,500 cash and Nation bragging rights. Team entry is $1,000 for groups of 8, which includes dinner and your first bevy. The night will be hosted by Ryder & Lisa from The Sauce and Tyler & Liam from ON Everyday, so expect plenty of energy, competition, and chirps. Spots are limited — sign your team up now at nationgear.ca. All proceeds from the event support KidSport Edmonton, helping ensure local kids can stay in the game.