The Edmonton Oilers couldn\u2019t find a way to tread water in Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks.<\/p>\n
It was another high-flying game for the Ducks, as they lit up the Oilers with a 7-4 victory to take a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4. Edmonton managed to score the first goal of the game, and held a 3-2 lead in the second period, but they couldn\u2019t handle Anaheim\u2019s speed.<\/p>\n
The Ducks scored four goals in the final frame to wrestle the game away and take their first lead of the series. The Oilers just didn\u2019t have any response, and quickly faded away into the night after Anaheim took control of the game.<\/p>\n
When asked what went wrong after the loss, Oilers forward Zach Hyman pointed to the defensive game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t give ourselves a chance with the amount of goals we gave up,\u201d Hyman said. \u201c[We need to] just simplify it, play boring\u2026 We have to play simple. I think you can help their speed or deter their speed, depending on how you play, and we\u2019re helping their speed right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can do better in a lot of areas on the defensive side of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
“We gotta do a better job of all the little things, holding guys up\u2026 I think we can be better in a lot of areas on the defensive side of things.”<\/p>\n
Zach Hyman speaks following tonight’s #Oilers<\/a> defeat to the Ducks in Game 3. @Enterprise<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hl4hNnlcWk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n When it comes to defensive performance, it was not a great night for the Oilers\u2019 top pair of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm. Those two are expected to lead the way for this Edmonton squad, but they left Game 3 with a pair of minus-three performances.<\/p>\n Ekholm is supposed to be the defensive stalwart on that pair, and he talked to the media after the game as well.<\/p>\n \u201cNot good enough for us tonight\u2026 not our best for sure and we\u2019ll have to take responsibility for that,\u201d Ekholm said. \u201cGive them credit, they\u2019re doing a great job. They\u2019re forechecking us hard; they\u2019re winning a lot of pucks. We just gotta win more battles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t brought close to our best yet\u2026 There\u2019s a lot of hockey left to be played.\u201d<\/p>\n “It’s a 2-1 series, it’s first to four. There’s a lot of hockey left to be played. The momentum shifts, the swings, we’ve all been through it.” <\/p>\n Mattias Ekholm talks about the #Oilers<\/a> leaning on their playoff experience. @Enterprise<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ekv7HDZLad<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Much has been said about Anaheim\u2019s speed and how the Oilers want to slow the game down in their favour. It makes sense to some degree, but you can\u2019t always keep the breaks on when you have players like Connor McDavid in your lineup.<\/p>\n Kasperi Kapanen, who scored his third goal of the series on Friday night, spoke about how Edmonton still wants to play a fast game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanna play fast, because we have fast guys as well,\u201d Kapanen said. \u201cI think it\u2019s just more being responsible with the puck and just, defensively, it\u2019s been something we\u2019ve been battling with this whole season.\u201d<\/p>\n “It’s disappointing, but it’s a race to four wins. We’re not gonna panic, but we need to learn from our mistakes & be better next game.”<\/p>\n Kasperi Kapanen on the #Oilers<\/a> moving forward following tonight’s defeat.@Enterprise<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/O1gItSJ172<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Oilers are now at risk of going down 3-1 in this first-round series against Anaheim. Starting now, their backs are against the wall.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll see if they can show off another exhilarating playoff escape act that starts in Game 4 on Sunday night.<\/p>\n