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Kapanen scores another clutch goal to seal Game 1: Best Oilers goals of 2025-26

Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

By Ryley Delaney

Jul 25, 2026, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 24, 2026, 22:17 EDT

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This summer, Oilersnation will recap the top five Edmonton Oilers goals, the top five fights, and the top five overall moments from the up-and-down 2025-26 season.

Unlike the last two seasons, there wasn’t a whole lot to cheer about for Edmonton Oilers fans this past postseason. There was no series rally, nor domination at any point in their six-game series against the Anaheim Ducks. In the end, a plethora of injuries to their centres sank them.

But there was some hope on the evening of April 20, 2026. The Oilers hosted the Ducks for Game 1 and dominated the first 20 minutes. After blowing the lead in the second period, Jason Dickinson tied it. The final goal of the game ranks as our third-best goal from this past season.

Kasperi Kapanen scores another clutch goal

Although Kasperi Kapanen can be inconsistent, he has a knack for scoring big goals in big moments. Back in 2016, the Finn scored the Golden Goal in overtime, winning Team Finland its fourth gold medal at the World Juniors.

In the 2017 playoffs, he scored an overtime winner to propel the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Washington Capitals, their first postseason victory since 2013. Four years later, he scored a game-tying goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins, then picked up a helper on an overtime winner in 2022.

And who could forget Kapanen’s overtime goal in Game 5 in 2025, sending the Oilers to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years. That was one of the best goals of the 2024-25 season. He has undeniably earned the “clutch” label bestowed upon him.

So is it surprising that it was Kapanen who found the twine in a tie game with 1:54 left in the third period? The goal itself was nothing special, but the context made fans believe. Leon Draisaitl found Vasily Podkolzin behind the net, and the Russian found Kapanen, who was cutting to the net undefended for an easy tap-in.

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Kasperi Kapanen has turned into a clutch performer for the Oilers. For his birthday, throwback to his game-winning-goal against the Ducks this year 🔥 📹: Sportsnet

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10:00 PM · Jul 23, 2026

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We all know what happened next. But for that moment, Oilersnation had hope that they could make yet another deep run. Thankfully, the Oilers’ most clutch player will be back for the 2026-27 season.