EDMONTON, AB — Playoff hockey returned to Rogers Place in dramatic fashion Monday night, as the Edmonton Oilers delivered a resilient, come-from-behind 4–3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks to take a 1–0 lead in their first-round series.
In a contest that featured early dominance, a mid-game collapse, and a late surge, Edmonton leaned on depth scoring and timely execution to secure a statement win in front of a fired-up home crowd.
At the heart of the comeback were Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen, who each recorded two goals in standout performances that underscored the Oilers’ ability to generate offense beyond their top line.
The Oilers set the tone early, controlling play from the opening puck drop. Energized by the return of Leon Draisaitl who had missed the final 14 games of the regular season Edmonton dominated the first period, outshooting Anaheim and dictating the pace in all three zones.
It was Dickinson who ignited the crowd, finishing a breakaway with confidence to open the scoring. The goal marked his return to playoff action in an Oilers jersey and immediately validated the decision to reinsert him into the lineup.
Just over a minute later, Kapanen doubled the lead, capitalizing on sustained pressure and quick puck movement. After an initial chance was turned aside, the Finnish winger stayed with the play and buried the rebound, giving Edmonton a 2–0 advantage heading into the first intermission.
The early cushion, however, proved fragile.
Anaheim responded with urgency in the second period, exposing defensive lapses and capitalizing on key opportunities. Troy Terry got the Ducks on the board less than a minute into the frame, finishing a rebound to shift momentum.
Moments later, Leo Carlsson tied the game, again finding space in front to convert a loose puck. The quick succession of goals stunned the Oilers, who struggled to regain their structure as Anaheim continued to press.
The Ducks eventually took the lead on the power play, with Terry netting his second of the night through traffic to make it 3–2. The goal capped a three-goal period for Anaheim and marked a dramatic turnaround from Edmonton’s dominant start.
Despite the setback, the Oilers entered the third period with renewed urgency — and a clear response.
Edmonton gradually tilted the ice back in its favor, applying sustained pressure and forcing Anaheim into defensive mistakes. Dickinson once again delivered, tying the game midway through the period by cleaning up a rebound after a point shot created chaos in front of the net.
The equalizer reignited the building and shifted momentum decisively back to the home side.
From there, the Oilers continued to push, with Vasily Podkolzin and Draisaitl playing key roles in generating chances. Their persistence paid off in the final minutes.
With just 1:54 remaining in regulation, Kapanen struck again — this time as the hero. After a strong cycle down low, Podkolzin found Kapanen alone in front, and the winger made no mistake, sliding the puck past Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal for the game-winning goal.
The late tally sent Rogers Place into celebration mode, capping a determined Oilers comeback.
Anaheim mounted one final push with the net empty, creating a tense scramble in front of Edmonton’s crease. But a crucial defensive block in the dying seconds preserved the lead, allowing the Oilers to close out the win.
Between the pipes, Connor Ingram delivered a steady performance, stopping 25 of 28 shots to earn his first career playoff victory. His composure in key moments — particularly late in the game — proved vital.
The win gives Edmonton an early edge in the series, but also highlights areas for improvement, particularly after surrendering momentum in the second period.
For the Ducks, the loss underscores both their resilience and their potential to challenge, especially after demonstrating their ability to exploit openings and generate offense in bursts.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday night at Rogers Place, where the Oilers will look to build on their momentum while Anaheim aims to even the series.
If Game 1 is any indication, this matchup is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle one where momentum can shift quickly, and no lead is ever truly safe.
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