Following a commanding win over the Mammoth in Utah earlier this week, Edmonton handed Vegas its fifth loss in six games and moved two points clear of a potential first-round opponent in the Pacific Division standings.

They also kept pace with division-leading Anaheim, which picked up two points with an overtime win in Calgary. The Ducks hold a five-point lead on Edmonton with one game in hand, but with a head-to-head matchup coming on Saturday, the Oilers still have a chance to make this a real race.

Connor McDavid led the way with three points, while Evan Bouchard became the fourth defenceman in franchise history to record a 20-goal season, scoring the overtime winner to join Paul Coffey (1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87), Charlie Huddy (1982-83), and Sheldon Souray (2008-09).

Connor Ingram was steady in net for Edmonton, stopping 26 of 29 shots to snap a personal two-start losing streak. Adin Hill allowed four goals on 29 shots, with Edmonton repeatedly finding success on his blocker side.

The offence from McDavid and Bouchard and the win for Ingram stand out at a glance, but another key factor was Edmonton’s penalty kill. The Oilers killed all three Vegas power plays, including a holding call on Zach Hyman in overtime.

Though the Golden Knights have been struggling to score lately, they still boast one of the league’s top power plays, ranking fifth at 24.5 percent. If these teams meet in the playoffs again, special teams will likely play a major role in the outcome.

What they said…

Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch on the Oilers picking up their game at the right time…

“We’re looking more like we’re playing a playoff game, like things matter. Attention to detail and we’re simplifying our game. It’s nice to see. And obviously the games are so important right now that everyone seems like they’re dialled in and needing to win. They know the urgency to play right.

Oilers winger Zach Hyman on Edmonton beating a couple of playoff teams on this two-game trip…

“It’s a great road trip. Two massive wins against two potential playoff opponents. I thought we played well defensively and everybody contributed. That’s so important at this time of year. Everybody feels a part of it.”

Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram on the team’s back-to-back wins against Utah and Vegas… 

“The last two games have been both really good. We found a way to play that’s giving us success and now it’s just not being stubborn and sticking with it, just playing simple. We’re a good enough hockey club where we’re going to get our chances, so as long as we don’t give them any, we’re going to be just fine.”

Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy on the Golden Knights falling into a late-season skid…

“It’s been a battle for us since the Olympic break to win games. So, let’s get winning again, feel good about ourselves, and take care of winning.”

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone on what the team needs to fix down the stretch…

“Let’s put ourselves in the dance. There are no guarantees, so we must continue to wake up in the morning, put our best foot forward, and get better. We played a pretty good 5-on-5 game. Our problem is that we’re making some big mistakes. That’s just what we got to clean up.”

Up next…With the road trip complete, the Oilers return home for their penultimate homestand of the regular season. The Pacific Division-leading Ducks visit Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, followed by games against Seattle, Chicago, and Vegas next week.PRESENTED BY SOUTHVIEW ACURAAt Southview Acura, luxury isn’t just what you drive, it’s how you’re treated. Family owned and operated, we’re proud to offer an exceptional selection of new and certified pre-owned Acuras, backed by a service experience built on trust and precision. Whether it’s your first visit or your next, our team is committed to excellence every step of the way. Visit Southview Acura today or online at www.SouthviewAcura.com, where luxury meets reality.