The Edmonton Oilers delivered a strong performance but were ultimately blanked 1-0 by the Minnesota Wild in a tightly contested NHL matchup on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The story of the game was the spectacular goaltending of Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt, who turned aside all 16 Oilers shots in a dominant second period to secure the victory at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
A Goaltending Duel Decides the Night
The game was a well-played, defensive battle from the opening faceoff. After a scoreless and competitive first period, the Wild managed to break through with the game's only goal. Defenseman Jonas Brodin's point shot found its way through traffic and past Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner late in the first frame. The Wild's broadcast team noted the difficult screen in front, suggesting Skinner had little chance on the play.
Edmonton responded with immense pressure in the second period, outshooting Minnesota 16-6. However, Wallstedt was impenetrable, making a series of key saves to preserve his team's slender lead. The Oilers continued to push in the third period, but "the Wall of St. Paul" held firm, securing the shutout for the visiting Wild.
Oilers Player Grades: Skinner Shines in a Losing Cause
Despite the loss, several Oilers players turned in notable performances. Goaltender Stuart Skinner was named the game's Second Star after stopping 23 of 24 shots. He made several crucial saves, including two in tight on Joel Eriksson Ek during a first-period Wild power play and a tough stop on a Nico Sturm deflection in the third.
Defenseman Evan Bouchard earned high marks with an 8-out-of-10 performance. He logged 25:46 of ice time, registered three shots, and controlled play with a 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage of 74%. Bouchard created several dangerous chances, including a dazzling deke around Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov in the third period.
Offensive Stars Stifled by Stingy Defense
The Oilers' top offensive weapons found little room to operate against a structured Minnesota defense. Captain Connor McDavid was held to just one shot on goal, though he did draw two penalties and controlled possession (63% CF at 5v5). The team's power play, a usual strength, failed to convert on its opportunities.
Zach Hyman had multiple scoring chances, including several on the power play and a late second-period setup from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but could not find the finishing touch. Rookie Matt Savoie played a responsible two-way game, contributing to a key defensive zone clear in the third period.
In the end, the Oilers played a complete game but ran into a goaltender at the top of his game. The 1-0 final score reflected a night of outstanding defensive structure and elite netminding, leaving Edmonton with a hard-luck loss but a solid overall effort.
