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May 12, 2025
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Draisaitl scored the overtime GWG, and Walman and Podkolzin both scored their first-ever playoff goal as the Oilers continued their run with their sixth straight comeback victory! We have your Game 2 winning numbers from Century Casino Edmonton.

The Edmonton Oilers are quickly turning resilience into an art form. In a raucous Rogers Place packed with thunderous fans, the Oilers extended their postseason run of comeback victories to six with a thrilling 4–3 overtime triumph over their playoff rivals on Saturday night. Once again, it was Leon Draisaitl—arguably the NHL’s premier playoff performer—who rose to the occasion, delivering the game-winning goal just 2:41 into overtime.

But the night belonged to more than just the Oilers’ established superstar. Jake Walman and Vasili Podkolzin, both newcomers to the playoff goal column, etched their names into postseason lore with timely tallies that kept Edmonton in the hunt during a high-tempo Game 2 that tested the mettle of every skater on the ice.

There’s clutch, and then there’s Leon Draisaitl.

The 29-year-old forward took a slick feed from Connor McDavid on a broken play and buried the puck top-shelf past the opposing goalie’s blocker side, sending Rogers Place into a frenzy. The goal, his seventh of the postseason, capped a game in which Draisaitl was once again a commanding presence in all three zones.

“It’s about trusting the process and trusting each other,” Draisaitl said in the postgame scrum. “It’s never ideal going down early, but there’s belief in this room. We know we’ve got the talent and the grit to come back.”

Draisaitl now sits atop the playoff scoring chart with 18 points in just eight games, continuing a postseason stretch reminiscent of his Conn Smythe-worthy campaign two years ago. With his Game 2 heroics, he now has 20 career playoff goals scored in either the third period or overtime—further underscoring his legendary ability to deliver under pressure.

In a postseason where Edmonton’s depth has been frequently questioned, Game 2 offered emphatic answers. Jake Walman, acquired at the trade deadline from Detroit, notched his first career playoff goal early in the second period with a blistering slapshot from the blue line that found its way through traffic.

“It feels amazing,” Walman said. “You dream about these moments—playing playoff hockey in Canada, in a building like this—and when the puck goes in, it’s just pure joy.”

Podkolzin’s goal came just minutes later, a gritty second-effort rebound that he stuffed past the goaltender to bring Edmonton within one. The 23-year-old Russian forward, often overshadowed by the star power around him, has been quietly carving out a solid role on Edmonton’s third line. His goal was a culmination of persistent forechecking and physical play that wore down the opponent’s defense.

“Those are the kinds of goals that win you playoff games,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We know what Leon and Connor can do, but when guys like Jake and Vasili chip in like that, it makes us so much harder to play against.”

With their sixth straight come-from-behind victory, the Oilers are now being talked about not just for their star power, but for their unmatched perseverance. Edmonton trailed 2–0 midway through the first period after a sluggish start allowed the visiting team to capitalize on early turnovers and a shaky penalty kill.

But just like in Games 3 and 4 of the first round, Edmonton flipped the switch.

McDavid, who finished with three assists, helped orchestrate the comeback, quarterbacking the power play with surgical precision and logging over 26 minutes of ice time. He now leads the playoffs in assists with 13 and has looked increasingly comfortable wearing the “C” in high-stakes moments.

“We weren’t happy with the first 10 minutes,” McDavid admitted. “But it’s not about the start—it’s about how you finish. We know if we stick to our identity, we’ll get our chances.”

That identity? Fast-paced puck movement, high-pressure forechecking, and a refusal to back down when the game tightens.

Stuart Skinner wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t have to be. After surrendering two early goals, Skinner bounced back with a string of crucial saves in the second and third periods, including a breakaway stop midway through the third that kept the game tied.

Knoblauch stuck with his netminder despite the early blunders, a decision that paid off as Skinner settled into a rhythm, finishing with 29 saves on 32 shots. The 26-year-old now boasts a .913 save percentage through eight playoff games.

“He’s calm, he’s composed, and the guys rally around him,” Knoblauch said. “He’s growing with every game.”

While the Oilers were winning on the ice, lucky fans were also cashing in thanks to Century Casino Edmonton. Saturday’s winning numbers for Game 2 have officially been released:

  • 50/50 Winner: #4492856 – Prize: $81,600
  • Chuck-A-Puck Grand Prize: #C374 – Winner of a trip for two to Las Vegas
  • Suite Seat Surprise Winner: #772618 – Free 2025-26 Season Ticket Package

All winners are encouraged to visit Century Casino Edmonton or the Oilers’ official website for redemption instructions. The partnership between the Oilers and Century Casino continues to bring added excitement and fan engagement to the postseason experience.

With the series now shifting to hostile territory for Game 3, the Oilers have momentum on their side—and history in the making.

A sixth straight comeback win ties the franchise’s modern-era record for consecutive playoff victories when trailing at any point in the game. The 1984 dynasty-era Oilers also recorded a six-game streak during their Stanley Cup-winning run. With this current team inching closer to similar success, comparisons are inevitable.

But Draisaitl isn’t interested in the nostalgia—he’s focused on the now.

“We haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go. The job’s not finished.”

Still, the Oilers have clearly developed a playoff identity that’s both formidable and thrilling to watch. Whether it’s their relentless offensive pressure, the clutch performances from their stars, or the emergence of unlikely heroes like Walman and Podkolzin, this team is proving that it can win in multiple ways.

And perhaps most impressively—they’ve done it all while trailing.

The crowd at Rogers Place was electric from puck drop to the final horn in overtime. After the Draisaitl winner, fans erupted into chants of “Let’s go Oilers!” that could be heard from Jasper Avenue to Whyte.

“It felt like the roof was going to blow off,” said season ticket holder Brenda Marks. “You could feel it coming. As soon as Leon touched the puck in OT, we just knew.”

Social media also lit up following the win, with #Oilers and #Draisaitl trending across Canada within minutes. Fans praised the team’s never-say-die attitude, while hockey analysts marveled at Edmonton’s ability to come back time and time again.

“Best playoff hockey in years,” said former NHLer Kevin Bieksa on the national postgame show. “These guys believe in each other, and it shows.”

Edmonton now leads the best-of-seven series 2–0 and will travel for Games 3 and 4, looking to potentially sweep the series and get much-needed rest before the Conference Finals.

Key questions moving forward include:

  • Can the Oilers keep this comeback magic alive?
  • Will Draisaitl and McDavid continue their torrid scoring pace?
  • Can depth players like Podkolzin, Walman, and Ryan McLeod sustain their contributions?

No matter how those questions are answered, one thing is clear: these Oilers are on a mission, and they’re bringing their fans along for a wild ride.

Edmonton’s Game 2 victory was a microcosm of their postseason story so far—grit, star power, and surprising contributors all finding ways to shine. With Draisaitl leading the charge, McDavid orchestrating the offense, and emerging names like Walman and Podkolzin stepping up, this Oilers team looks poised for a deep run.

 

 

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