4 Takeaways from Oilers’ 4-3 Overtime Loss to Ducks in Game 4 – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers lost 4-3 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center on Sunday (April 26).

Evan Bouchard, Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored for the Oilers. Anaheim got goals from Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling and Jeffrey Viel.

In his first start of the season, Edmonton goaltender Tristan Jarry made 34 saves. Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots in the winning effort.

Anaheim now leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and will look to eliminate the two-time defending Western Conference champion Oilers with a win in Game 5 at Rogers Place on Tuesday (April 28).

Overtime Ends In Controversy

The game-winning goal came just 2:29 into overtime, after Poehling blocked Jarry. The Ducks players celebrated as if they had scored a goal, while the Oilers protested that the puck did not cross the line.

Because none of the officials were in a position to see the play properly, there was no immediate sign of an Anaheim goal. It was only after the officials had discussed the game among themselves that the referee decided that Dada should score a goal.

Since then, the game has gone into league-initiated automatic review. After a few minutes of the officials watching the video from many angles, it was announced that the goal had stopped, shaking the Honda Center.

Naturally, Oilers supporters disputed the goal: Some felt the puck didn’t cross the line; Others agreed that although the puck may have crossed the line, the game should not have been awarded a goal in the first place because no official had a clear vision.

In order to overturn a call, the NHL’s conditioning room needs conclusive evidence that the puck did not cross the line. Unfortunately for the Oilers, neither angle gave a clear idea of ​​whether the puck did not cross the line. By the same token, if the call on the ice had not been objective, there would likely have been no conclusive evidence that the puck had crossed the line, and overtime would have continued with the teams tied 3-3.

Oilers Rebuild Large Lead

Focusing solely on the controversial finish, however, allows the Oilers to get away with getting another ridiculous performance.

Edmonton came out on fire, as Kapanen hit a rebound just 38 seconds into the game to beat the Oilers 1-0. Less than six minutes later, Nugent-Hopkins scored on the power play at 6:32, and Edmonton looked to be winning. But from that point on, the ice tilted and stayed that way until Poehling scored in overtime.

From midway through the first half, Anaheim outscored Edmonton 35-20. The Ducks scored the Oilers’ best goal, with Gauthier scoring 7:36 into the second period, before Granlund fed through the gap and fired a shot past Jarry to pull the Ducks even.

Edmonton was able to regain the lead on Bouchard’s power play goal at 3:27 of the third period. But it wouldn’t last, as Viel scored to tie things up with 6:29 left in regulation.

After blowing leads of 2-0 and 3-2 on Sunday, the Oilers have scored six goals in the first four games of the series. That’s the most times Edmonton has blown a lead in the first three rounds combined of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Oilers get killed on the PK

Gauthier and Granlund’s goals both came on the power play, as the Ducks went two of four with the man advantage on Sunday. Anaheim is now six of 12 with the man advantage in the series and has scored at least one power play goal in each of the four games.

Edmonton shows no signs of shutting down the Ducks’ power play, converting on just 18.6% of 23 shots.^rd in the NHL during the regular season. Anaheim’s power play success in the series compliments the Ducks as it insults the Oilers’ penalty kill (PK).

Fortunately, Sunday’s game was the first in the series in which Edmonton didn’t get passed on special teams, as the Oilers went two-for-two with the man advantage.

Edmonton, which had a high percentage on the power play in the regular season, continues to convert when given opportunities with the man advantage. But the Oilers need to win the special teams battle, and their poor play on the PK gives them the ability to play on the power play.

Jarry Stands Out in Oilers’ Playoff Debut

After Oilers netminder Connor Ingram was lighted for 14 goals in the first three games, Jarry got the nod to start between the pipes on Sunday, with the much-maligned goaltender rising to the occasion.

Without a doubt, Jarry was Edmonton’s star of the game. He made many great saves, and played well enough for his team to win. But like Ingram, Jarry was let down by his teammates in front of him.

Defensively, the Oilers kept pulling back, but didn’t check well in front of their net. On Viel’s tying goal, Edmonton center Leon Draisaitl failed to clear the puck from his possession. Likewise, on Poehling’s winner, Oilers forward Trent Frederic couldn’t clear the spot.

Jarry’s performance was strong enough for a 5th game restart. Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch will have to decide who he wants in the middle of his team’s season on the line Tuesday.