It\u2019s not often that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are upstaged on the scoresheet in Edmonton. They probably don\u2019t mind that it was Oilers\u2019 defensemen taking turns stealing the spotlight Monday night.<\/p>\n
In an entertaining 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place, the Oilers made history on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n
Trailing 2-1 early in the second period, the Oilers took control with four consecutive goals by defensemen in a span of 3:49. That was notable for many reasons:<\/p>\n
\u2022 It was the fastest four goals by defensemen in league history
\u2022 It was only the sixth time four consecutive goals were scored by defensemen in a period
\u2022 It was the first four-goal period for defensemen since the St. Louis Blues did it on Dec. 29, 2000<\/p>\n
Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse and Spencer Stastney combined for the fastest four goals by defensemen in NHL history and propelled the @EdmontonOilers<\/a> to victory.#NHLStats<\/a>: https:\/\/t.co\/g7nlDMapuA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YdmpTDUgsM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Spencer Stastney started things with a goal at 4:36. Mattias Ekholm \u2014 more on him in a bit \u2014 tallied at 6:28. Darnell Nurse chipped in at 7:34, followed by Ekholm again at 8:25.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great player all around,\u201d Draisaitl said of Ekholm after the game. \u201cHe knows when to jump in the rush. He\u2019s extremely smart. Obviously, he\u2019s got a bomb of a shot, and he knows when to use it, and his placement is elite.\u201d<\/p>\n Ekholm completed his first career hat trick by scoring into an empty net with 11 seconds remaining in regulation.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, it was only the second hat trick by an Oilers defenseman \u2014 the same franchise that retired blueliner Paul Coffey\u2019s No. 7. Given all the scoring the Oilers have done in their Wayne Gretzky and McDavid eras, it\u2019s hard to believe that a defenseman hadn\u2019t notched three goals in a single game until Evan Bouchard\u2019s three goals way back on (checks notes) \u2026 oh right, this past Saturday.<\/p>\n After waiting their entire NHL existence for a defenseman to score a hat trick, the Oilers now stand as the only franchise with defensemen who scored hat tricks in consecutive games.<\/p>\n \u201cSome nights the bounces go your way. I will try to enjoy this one because it will probably be my last.\u201d<\/p>\n After registering his first career hat trick in tonight\u2019s #Oilers<\/a> win, Mattias Ekholm chats with the media. @Enterprise<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Q6SSbYar5X<\/a><\/p>\n