Incredibly, the Edmonton Oilers led Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks twice. For the first time in the series, they entered the third period not trailing.

Despite the Oilers’ issues earlier in the game, and there were many, the result was going to be decided in the third period. And the Oilers’ puck management, an especially poor combination of decisions by Evan Bouchard, and two quick goals in 42 seconds early in the frame, ultimately sunk Edmonton.

The result was a 7-4 loss.

Overall, the Oilers were beaten from pillar to post. Clawing back at times, being efficient on scoring chances early in the game when not much was happening, kept the contest relevant. But the final score reflected how the game was played.

Heading into Game 3, the Oilers were the better team five-on-five, outscoring the Ducks 8-4. It was special teams sinking them. Last night, the Ducks brought an incredible effort at even strength. Anaheim brought the hammer early and often.

Far too many errors to overcome for an Oilers team that is watching the enemy stacking performances and gaining confidence with every period. Jack Michaels might have said it best after the clock hit triple zeroes: “A study in frustration.”

“Look at the goals against. It’s just stuff that shouldn’t happen, especially this time of the year,” said Kris Knoblauch post-game. “There’s lost coverage in front of the net a couple times, a little careless with the puck, stuff like that.”

Tim Washe is a name we’ve all learned this week. A veteran for all of 44 NHL games, he’s been terrific on the Ducks’ fourth line, a group from jump that Joel Quenneville has trusted to take on McDavid’s line.

I found this quote interesting before Game 3.

“I had an old coach say, ‘nerves for the unprepared,’ right? So we feel prepared. We’re excited. And it’s gonna be great in front of our fans tonight,” said Washe.

Through the middle

There is some comfort in yesteryear. Eight times in the Connor McDavid era, the Oilers have come back and won a series when trailing. Hell, the hole seemed a lot larger during last year’s opener against the Los Angeles Kings, down 2-0. Been there, done that, yada yada yada.

But there’s something about this series, and about this season overall, that feels different. The Oilers’ centre ice depth, an area you’d hope would be a strength, is comprised.

Two of the four centres that started Game 1 have played a combined four periods. Leon Draisaitl just returned from a month-long injury, and presumably is not fully healthy.

Connor McDavid seems off, like he can’t make certain cuts he’s used to making, while forcing plays repeatedly. He seems burdened by the weight of the two Stanley Cup Finals losses, the silver medal at the Olympics, all in the last 22 months, which is eating at him. When he gets denied, he tries harder. When it doesn’t go well, he goes harder, and so on and so forth.

There were plays, like the sequence that led to the 3-3 tying goal, that are so uncharacteristic.

A major storyline heading into the series was the experience vs. inexperience angle. It cuts like this so far: a team with many miles on its odometer facing a younger, fresher team with lots of talent.

Jackson LaCombe is a bona fide stud. He’s tied with Leon Draisaitl for the series lead in points with six (and overall playoff lead), making highlight-reel defensive plays, and is a big boy. Leo Carlsson shows maturity beyond his years, and whoever he’s played with has been the difference maker in these games.

The drivers

Leon Draisaitl, Vasily Podkolzin, and Kasperi Kapanen have been a great line. They’ve played tremendously and allowed the Oilers to have a sniff, along with Connor Ingram in the first period.

Podkolzin especially played a whale of a game, scoring a goal, blocking shots, and venting his frustration with clobbering fists at Jeff Veil at the end of the game. They play better when emotionally engaged.

The Oilers got an elusive power play goal as well, hopefully spurring a man advantage that resembles what we’ve seen over the years. There have been ample rush chances.

I don’t believe Jason Dickinson is on the road trip unless he’s going to play one of the two games. His presence will help the penalty kill, as the Ducks have scored a power play goal now in seven straight games, and are 8-for-20 on the man advantage in six games combined vs. Edmonton.

The depth pieces will help. There are aspects that make this series far from over. But ultimately, this series will be decided by each team’s best players.

Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard, in particular, are moving the needle in the opposite direction. McDavid is minus-13 in his last seven playoff games. Bouchard is minus-11 in his last five playoff games.

The Oilers aren’t winning this series without their best forward and best defenceman managing pucks and playing better.

With that said, the Oilers have scored 12 goals in three games. They’ve either won or been tied in the third period in each game. This is a winnable series for the Edmonton Oilers, but they are embroiled in one right now.

To know, to do

How many times have you believed watching this team in 2025-26: No, this is the time they get it going. It’s been the story of the season. The regular season is “monotonous,” as McDavid put it. He told Luke Gazdic of Sportsnet that the important thing for this team is just getting into the playoffs.

There was a lower-event, structured style that the Oilers were building post-Olympics. But just when you think you have a handle on this team, they zag. They’ve been inconsistent all season long.

Have they been telling us who they are? Should we believe them? Should we be surprised? Or does one trust, despite few showings this season, but having a history of playing a winning style of playoff hockey when backed into a corner, that they will come back?

Luckily, finding out what they need to do shouldn’t be hard, at least in my eyes.

The Oilers haven’t been able to establish a forecheck in the past two games. They need to be more willing to take free ice when it’s available, chip the puck deep to work for a retrieval, and work below the faceoff dots in the offensive zone to minimize blueline turnovers and quick transition rush chances.

I think the Oilers know this, and when they’ve played this style are a dangerous hockey team. They know it better than you and I would know it watching from our couches. I thought this would be a six-game series.

The question is, can they? Is there will in their game?

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

THE SAUCE PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES WITH RYDER AND LISA

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Through the middle

The drivers

To know, to do

THE SAUCE PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES WITH RYDER AND LISA

Recent articles from Michael Menzies

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