Game 1’s haven’t always been kind to the Edmonton Oilers.

In fact, things rarely go their way. But on Monday night, the Oilers bucked that trend with a big come-from-behind Game 1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. In doing so, it gave the Oilers just their sixth Game 1 win in the Connor McDavid era, moving the team to 6-12 over that stretch.

The win pushed the Oilers to 2-5 in first-round Game 1’s. Monday night was the second, but the Oilers’ first came in 2024, with a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Beyond that? It’s been rough.

Their first loss came in 2017 against the San Jose Sharks, losing 3-2 in overtime in a game where the likes of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins et al played in their first playoff game. The Sharks outshot the Oilers a staggering 44-19 in that one.

Then it was a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, kicking off what would be a waste of eight days, getting swept in four games. We can all scrub that one from our minds at this point, right?

Next was the Kings series. They dropped Game 1 in each of 2022 (4-3), 2023 (4-3 OT), and 2024 (6-5). The Oilers, as we all know, came from behind in each of those series to advance to the second round.

The Oilers have fared ever-so-slightly-better in the second round. They won Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks in 2017, putting together a solid 5-3 victory in a tight game.

Then, three straight losses. They dropped Game 1 against the Calgary Flames in 2022 in a chaotic 9-6 loss, and fell to the Vegas Golden Knights 6-4 in 2023. Edmonton didn’t fare much better against the Vancouver Canucks in 2024, losing 5-4, but the Oilers would roar back to end their season earlier than they hoped.

Edmonton would exact their Game 1 loss to the Golden Knights last spring, putting together a 4-2 win.

There’s only three Conference Final games to look at: an 8-6 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, a 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars in 2024, and a 6-3 loss to the Stars last spring.

When it comes to the Cup final, Edmonton lost 2024’s Game 1 getting shutout by the Florida Panthers 3-0 on the road, but Leon Draisaitl’s overtime winner would give them a 4-3 win.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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