Player Grades: As the Edmonton Oilers defeat the San Jose Sharks, injuries explode
The Edmonton Oilers handled business on the scoreboard Thursday night, knocking off the San Jose Sharks 5–2 in a game that should have been a celebration of offensive efficiency and defensive improvement. Instead, the win was overshadowed by a troubling series of injuries that left the Oilers’ bench looking more like a triage unit than a hockey team.
What was supposed to be a routine late-season matchup against a rebuilding San Jose squad turned chaotic quickly. While Edmonton’s star power shined early—Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl doing what they do best—the victory came at a steep cost as several key players either left the game or appeared to be laboring throughout.
Here’s a detailed look at how each Oiler graded out in the win—and a breakdown of the rapidly worsening injury situation that could cast a shadow on their playoff ambitions.
Forwards
Connor McDavid — A
McDavid was electric from the start, notching a goal and two assists to power the Oilers’ offensive engine. His burst through the neutral zone led to multiple high-danger chances, and he commanded the power play with precision. While the win was marred by injuries, McDavid’s leadership helped steady the team emotionally after seeing teammates go down.
Leon Draisaitl — A-
Draisaitl was dominant on faceoffs and scored on a blistering one-timer during a first-period power play. His chemistry with McDavid remains lethal, but what stood out most was his physical play along the boards—a needed spark when things started getting chippy in the second period. He looked briefly shaken up after a collision late in the game but returned quickly.
Zach Hyman — B+
Hyman’s relentless motor was on display all night. He chased pucks, won puck battles in the corners, and drew a penalty that led to an Oilers goal. He chipped in with an assist and was effective at 5-on-5. However, he took a hard cross-check to the back in the third period and was slow to get up, though he finished the game.
Evander Kane — C+
Kane was one of the first Oilers to leave the game, taking a heavy hit into the boards early in the second period. He returned briefly but did not play in the third. Before the injury, he was physical but not as sharp offensively. His status moving forward is a major concern.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — B
Solid and unspectacular, Nugent-Hopkins logged important minutes on both special teams and helped set up a key second-period goal with slick puck movement. He was steady defensively and showed great awareness in transition.
Corey Perry — B-
Perry brought a gritty edge and was one of the few players not afraid to retaliate after a few borderline hits from the Sharks. He didn’t score but drew two penalties and was a pest in front of the net.
Dylan Holloway — A-
One of the best games of the season for Holloway, who scored his first goal in 10 games and was flying every shift. He was involved defensively, blocked a shot, and logged over 15 minutes. His improvement in board play and zone exits was noticeable.
Derek Ryan — C+
Ryan was fine in limited minutes. He helped kill penalties but was caught out of position during one Sharks rush. Still, he gave the team quality fourth-line depth and did his job without much fanfare.
Mattias Janmark — B
Janmark was another forward who left the game after blocking a shot in the second period. Before his exit, he was engaged and helped stabilize a third line that was otherwise in flux due to injury.
Adam Henrique — B+
A quietly effective night for Henrique, who slotted into multiple line combinations due to the rotating personnel. He won 60% of his faceoffs and picked up an assist while also showing a strong defensive presence in the slot.
Defensemen
Darnell Nurse — B-
Nurse was decent, logging over 22 minutes and delivering a few crunching hits. However, he was partially responsible for a San Jose goal after getting caught pinching deep. Still, his physicality set a tone early and helped keep the Sharks from getting too comfortable.
Evan Bouchard — A
A masterclass in puck movement. Bouchard tallied two assists and quarterbacked the power play with patience and vision. He also made a crucial stick lift in the defensive zone that prevented a dangerous scoring chance. His play continues to blossom as the season winds down.
Mattias Ekholm — B
Ekholm was the definition of reliable, especially after Nurse’s miscue in the second period. He covered well on the back end and used his size effectively to neutralize the Sharks’ forecheck. He didn’t generate much offensively but played a clean, efficient game.
Vincent Desharnais — B-
Desharnais left the game late in the second period after an awkward fall behind the net. His presence was missed as the team had to double-shift other blueliners. Before the injury, he was solid—especially on the penalty kill—and made good decisions with the puck.
Brett Kulak — C+
Kulak was serviceable but had a few shaky moments under pressure. A miscommunication between him and Desharnais led to a Sharks goal. However, he showed good puck retrieval and was noticeably more aggressive pinching up late in the third.
Cody Ceci — C
Ceci struggled with the speed of the Sharks’ younger forwards. He was slow to react in transition and had a few turnovers that led to extended defensive zone time. Edmonton will need more from him if Desharnais is out long-term.
Goaltending
Stuart Skinner — B+
Skinner made several timely saves, especially during a brief 5-on-3 sequence for San Jose in the second period. He stopped 28 of 30 shots and showed great lateral movement, tracking the puck well through screens. While the two goals weren’t entirely his fault, his rebound control still leaves something to be desired. Nonetheless, he was steady and gave the Oilers every chance to win.
Special Teams — A
The Oilers’ power play looked as potent as ever, going 2-for-4 and dominating possession with crisp puck movement and off-puck rotation. The penalty kill, despite being forced into some awkward combinations due to injuries, held strong and even produced a couple of shorthanded chances. This unit is playoff-ready.
Coaching — A-
Jay Woodcroft and his staff handled the in-game adjustments admirably. With injuries piling up, line combinations were thrown into chaos, but the Oilers remained composed. The coaching staff deserves credit for not overreacting and allowing their depth pieces to play through adversity. If there’s a critique, it might be the continued overuse of top defensemen in the third, which could backfire if fatigue sets in.
Injury Rundown: Trouble Brewing
What should worry Edmonton fans more than anything from this game is the growing list of walking wounded:
- Evander Kane: Upper-body injury, left game in the 2nd period. Did not return.
- Mattias Janmark: Lower-body injury from blocked shot. Considered day-to-day.
- Vincent Desharnais: Undisclosed injury after awkward fall. Early reports are not promising.
- Zach Hyman: Stayed in the game, but visibly in discomfort after a third-period hit.
- Leon Draisaitl: Briefly left after contact but finished the game.
With the playoffs around the corner, the timing couldn’t be worse. Edmonton’s depth has been tested throughout the season, but this level of attrition could derail their momentum if reinforcements aren’t healthy soon.
The 5–2 win will count just the same in the standings, but it may end up being remembered more for who the Oilers lost than how they won. With the postseason looming, Edmonton must walk the tightrope of preserving health while maintaining intensity and cohesion.
The team’s stars showed up and did their jobs. The power play hummed, and Stuart Skinner looked locked in. But there’s an ominous feeling swirling around Rogers Place—not of celebration, but of concern. A team that finally looked like it had all the pieces may now be searching for some glue.
As fans await medical updates, the focus turns to the next-man-up mentality. Can Edmonton’s depth carry them through another stretch of uncertainty? If so, this could be a galvanizing moment. If not, the Stanley Cup dream might have suffered a critical blow—even in victory.
