While Stakes Extremely High, Oilers Find Near Perfect Game to End Season

TL;DR

The Edmonton Oilers secured home-ice advantage in the playoffs with a strong win, showcasing their best performance of the season. Key players included Matt Savoie, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard, each contributing significantly to the victory.

Key points

Oilers needed a win to secure home-ice advantage
Team showed one of their best performances of the season
Matt Savoie scored his first career hat-trick
Connor McDavid won his 6th Art Ross award
Evan Bouchard was the highest-scoring defenseman

Edmonton OilersColorado AvalancheMatt SavoieConnor McDavid

Even though the dominoes appeared to be falling in the Edmonton Oilers' favor on Thursday night, the team still needed a big win to secure home-ice advantage in the playoffs and avoid facing the Colorado Avalanche. Not only did they get the win, but the Oilers also showed up with one of their most solid 60-minute efforts of the regular season.

Trending Stories:

How Oilers Stack Up In the Western Conference Playoff Race

Connor Ingram Deserved Better in Oilers’ 2-1 Shootout Loss

Matt Savoie got his first career hat-trick, Connor McDavid posted four assists and won his 6th Art Ross award with 138 points, Evan Bouchard had three assists and ended the season as the NHL's highest-scoring defenseman with 95 points, Colton Dach had a Gordie Howe hat-trick, and Connor Ingram was solid again, allowing only one goal.

Edmonton outshot Vancouver 35-12 in a game Mattias Ekholm said the group should be proud of. "We came out and looked assertive in every way possible, and wasn't going to let this one slip. So kudos to us for having a professional performance against a team that looked like they kind of wanted to go on their break."

Connor McDavid said after the win, "Was very determined. Yeah, it was an important one. Obviously, we wanted to start here at home and give ourselves the best chance during the first round. "

McDavid talked about the chemistry he's building with Savoie and said that now that they've played together a bit, they're starting to understand each other. Ekholm said Savoie has been outstanding since the New Year, and he's provided a much-needed boost, having figured out how to play on the top line with the world's best player.