Connor McDavid danced around the Sharks’ defenders in the opening minute to fire a shot on Alex Nedeljkovic. Moments later, Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith almost connected for a chance on Connor Ingram. Right out of the gate, it was clear that the focus would be on McDavid and Celebrini, as expected.
The Oilers took the first penalty of the night, just 3:38 into the first period, as they received a minor penalty for too many men. The Sharks, namely Celebrini, didn’t take long to score with the man advantage. Just 49 seconds after the penalty, Celebrini was able to beat Ingram to give the Sharks a very early 1-0 lead. On the goal, Celebrini recorded his 108th point of the season, passing Jimmy Carson for sole possession of the third-most points in a season by a teenager in NHL history.
Michael Misa was called for holding shortly after the goal, giving Edmonton’s dangerous power play an opportunity to tie things up. McDavid did just that, scoring a goal of his own and tying the game at a goal apiece. Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard picked up an assist on McDavid’s goal, becoming just the second defenseman in Oilers history to record a 90-point season.
Vincent Desharnais had a very productive shift with just over six minutes remaining in the first period, cutting off McDavid and then drawing a hooking penalty, as Matt Savoie went to the penalty box. For the first time tonight, the penalty kill was able to hold their own and successfully kill off the penalty. Shortly after the penalty expired, though, Desharnais found himself heading to the penalty box for delay of game.
Vasily Podkolzin kept the Oilers’ power play perfect, scoring off a scramble in front of the net to give Edmonton their first lead of the night, which they carried into the first intermission.
Celebrini hauled down Bouchard early in the second period, giving the Oilers their third power play of the night. Jack Roslovic had a wide-open opportunity on a breakaway, scoring Edmonton’s third power play goal of the night, making it 3-1.
Kiefer Sherwood brought the Sharks back within one goal just over a minute later, scoring the first even-strength tally of the night off a deflection.
With 14:07 remaining in the middle frame, McDavid scored his second goal of the night, and fourth point, to restore the Oilers’ two-goal lead.
Near the midway point of the game, Edmonton was called for too many men for the second time of the night. The Oilers seemed to get more chances on the Sharks’ power play than they did, generating a pair of breakaways while San Jose failed to record a shot.
McDavid made it a hat trick and registered his fifth point with just under six minutes remaining in the second.
The Oilers made a change in goal for the third period, as it appears that Ingram got banged up at some point in the second period. As a result, Tristan Jarry went between the pipes for the final 20 minutes.
Jason Dickinson left the ice just over a minute into the period after taking a shot off of his left leg.
Despite facing a cold goaltender for the entirety of the third period, the Sharks were unable to get any meaningful offense in the final third of the game and the Oilers walked away with a 5-2 victory.