In an intense playoff matchup, the Edmonton Oilers secured a crucial 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, taking a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. Mattias Janmark netted the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, while Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also contributed to the scoreline. Calvin Pickard, the Oilers' goaltender, made 20 saves, leading to their third consecutive win and putting them one game away from advancing to the next round.

Despite a promising start, the Kings faltered after winning the first two games at home. They managed to score first in Game 5 with Andrei Kuzmenko's power-play goal, but the Oilers dominated possession throughout the game, outshooting Los Angeles 79-34 from the third period of Game 4 onwards. The Kings’ inability to maintain leads proved costly, as the Oilers turned the tide with strong offensive pressure.

In a tightly contested match, the Edmonton Oilers secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, marking their third consecutive win. Mattias Ekholm starred with a goal and an assist, while Connor McDavid made a notable return, contributing to the scoreboard after his suspension. Other scorers included Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry, with the Oilers now boasting an impressive record of 11 wins in their last 14 games, reclaiming first place in the Pacific Division.

Despite a strong start from the Kraken, who initially led 2-1, the Oilers rallied in the second period with pivotal goals. McCann, the Kraken's leading scorer, struggled to find the net, extending his goalless streak to 15 games. The Oilers' Calvin Pickard made 26 saves, while Joey Daccord had 27 stops for Seattle.

Mattias Ekholm led the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 win against the Seattle Kraken, scoring a goal and providing an assist. Connor McDavid returned from a suspension to contribute to the Oilers' third consecutive victory. Edmonton rallied after a shaky start, overcoming a 2-1 deficit thanks to goals from Ekholm, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry, alongside McDavid's return to form. The victory places the Oilers back atop the Pacific Division by a slim point over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Seattle's Jared McCann struggled to find the back of the net, extending his scoring drought to 15 games. The Kraken saw goals from Eeli Tolvanen and Vince Dunn but couldn't maintain their early lead. Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard made 26 saves, while Joey Daccord of the Kraken recorded 27 saves in the loss.

The Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to face off against the Seattle Kraken in a highly anticipated matchup on Hockey Night in Canada. This marks their first meeting of the season, with three more encounters scheduled throughout the year. The Oilers are currently enjoying a strong run, boasting a record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games, while the Kraken are struggling, having secured only three wins in the same period.

In terms of lineup changes, Calvin Pickard will start as the goalie tonight, stepping in for Stuart Skinner, who played the full game previously. Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Derek Ryan will replace Corey Perry in the lineup, a move that allows for another natural center to be dressed. The Oilers will adjust their bottom six, with Adam Henrique centering a line with Mattias Janmark and Zach Hyman, and Ryan leading the fourth line alongside Jeff Skinner and Kasperi Kapanen.

The Edmonton Oilers are nearing full health, creating a challenging situation for coach Kris Knoblauch regarding the lineup. With Viktor Arvidsson close to returning, the team must decide who will be sidelined. Evander Kane's expected return in February adds to the dilemma, especially with players like Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin performing well.

Kapanen has impressed since joining from the St. Louis Blues, while Podkolzin's physical play has garnered attention. The Oilers may need to consider unconventional roster moves, including the future of veteran Jeff Skinner, who faces uncertainty in his role.