The Edmonton Oilers provided a heart-stopping finale but ultimately could not complete the comeback, falling 5-4 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a hard-fought NHL contest on November 13, 2025. Despite a late surge, the Oilers were hampered by a slow start where they were consistently outworked and outscored.
Game Overview: A Tale of Two Efforts
The match, held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, saw the Oilers struggle to match the Blue Jackets' intensity for significant portions of the game. The team was out-hustled and out-battled, digging a hole that their third-period magic could not entirely erase. The final score of 5-4 reflects a game of contrasting efforts, with a thrilling ending that showcased the team's offensive potential.
Key Player Performances and Grades
Connor McDavid earned a grade of 7. After a quiet first period, a misplay in the second led to a Columbus counterattack and their second goal. He became more involved as the game progressed, nearly batting in a goal on a power play and contributing to the team's fourth goal with a key faceoff win and screen. He missed a critical break-in shot late in the third period. His final Grade A shots tally was Even Strength: +6/-1 and Special Teams: +2/-1.
Leon Draisaitl was a force, receiving the highest grade of an 8. He ignited as the game went on, driving the offense. He was instrumental in the first goal with a faceoff win and later scored a spectacular goal by ringing a shot off the post. He also netted Edmonton's fourth goal and created several prime chances for his teammates late in the game. A glaring non-call on a trip in the slot marred an otherwise outstanding performance. His Grade A shots were EV: +7/-1 and ST: +2/-0.
Matt Savoie was graded a 7 in a game of highs and lows. He was partially at fault on Columbus's first goal and had a costly turnover that led to a shorthanded breakaway. However, he redeemed himself by tipping in a point shot for a goal and was involved in generating several other high-danger scoring chances as the game unfolded.
Andrew Mangiapane received a 4. He finished the game with a challenging -4 plus/minus rating, though he was not directly responsible for any major errors on those goals against. He did manage to generate Edmonton's first Grade A shot of the game.
Vasily Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic both earned a 5. Podkolzin scored Edmonton's third goal on a quick turn-around shot but had some defensive lapses, including on an early penalty kill. Roslovic was relatively quiet in his hometown but made a slick pass to set up Podkolzin's goal and had a late scoring chance himself.
Conclusion: A Pointed Lesson
This loss serves as a stark reminder for the Oilers that a complete sixty-minute effort is required to secure victories in the NHL. While the thrilling finish demonstrates their formidable offensive capabilities and never-say-die attitude, the early deficits created by being outplayed proved too significant to overcome. The team will look to harness their third-period energy from the opening puck drop in their next outing.
