In a gritty road victory defined by unexpected heroes, the Edmonton Oilers secured a hard-fought 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Monday, December 29, 2025. The triumph was anchored by a spectacular goaltending performance from Calvin Pickard and crucial contributions from the team's depth players.
Pickard Stands Tall as Oilers Steal Win
The story of the night was goaltender Calvin Pickard, who delivered a game-saving performance against a relentless Winnipeg attack. Facing a staggering 42 shots, Pickard turned aside all but one, outdueling Jets star Connor Hellebuyck at the other end. The Oilers were heavily outshot 42-21 but emerged victorious thanks to their netminder's backbone effort.
Pickard's excellence has provided stability during the absence of injured starter Tristan Jarry. The Oilers have now received rock-solid goaltending in five consecutive games, offering the team crucial breathing room while Jarry recovers.
Depth Players Deliver Crucial Goals
With Edmonton's superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl held to a combined two shots on net, the Oilers' supporting cast rose to the occasion. The scoring opened in the first period when fourth-line forward Curtis Lazar pressured Jets defenceman Logan Stanley into a turnover. The puck came to Max Jones, who buried the chance for a rare goal from the Oilers' bottom six.
Edmonton extended its lead on the power play, with Jack Roslovic capitalizing on a rare shift for the second unit to make it 2-0. Winnipeg's Adam Lowry cut the deficit to 2-1 with 14 minutes remaining in the third period, setting up a tense finish. Veteran winger Zach Hyman eventually sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
Fight and a Scratch Highlight Side Stories
The game featured a surprising bout involving typically mild-mannered centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. After taking a hit from behind from Winnipeg's Neal Pionk, Nugent-Hopkins dropped the gloves, engaging in just the fifth fight of his NHL career and his first since March 2023.
Meanwhile, forward Andrew Mangiapane was a healthy scratch for Edmonton. The 29-year-old, who recently expressed dissatisfaction with his ice time and a desire for a trade, has struggled immensely this season. After starting the year on the top lines, Mangiapane recorded only eight points and a team-worst minus-18 rating through his first 25 games.
The loss extended a difficult stretch for the Jets, who have now won only three of their last 17 games. For the Oilers, the win underscored the value of timely goaltending and contributions from across the lineup, proving they can find ways to win even when their top stars are contained.
