Ducks can’t protect lead as Oilers score 3 third-period goals
Leon Draisaitl scores the go-ahead goal midway through the third and Evander Kane caps his hat trick as Edmonton score three times in the final 12 minutes to rally past the Ducks, 5-3
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, left, shows his frustration as Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a go-ahead goal by Leon Draisaitl (29) during the third period on Friday night at the Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Leo Carlsson, right, controls the puck as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm defends during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano shoots during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, skates past the Ducks’ Radko Gudas during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais, left, controls the puck as the Ducks’ Brett Leason defends during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks center Leo Carlsson controls the puck during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks right wing Brett Leason, right, controls the puck against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais, left, and defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Leo Carlsson shoots the puck in front of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, left, and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, right, during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Ryan Strome controls the puck during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Ducks’ Bo Groulx, left, and goaltender John Gibson defend against the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor Brown during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas shoots during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Ryan Strome skates during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Leo Carlsson, left, vies for the puck with Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Ryan Strome shoots the puck as Edmonton Oilers center Derek Ryan (10) trails after him during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, center, skates with the puck as the Ducks’ Cam Fowler gives chase during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Urho Vaakanainen (5), Radko Gudas (7) and Troy Terry (19) defend against the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, right, during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Urho Vaakanainen (5), Radko Gudas (7) and Troy Terry (19) defend against the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, right, during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks center Ryan Strome controls the puck during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Derek Ryan, left, controls the puck as the Ducks’ Jackson LaCombe defends during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates past the Ducks’ Radko Gudas as they pursue the puck during the first period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks center Ryan Strome controls the puck during the first period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry skates to a loose puck during the first period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, left, controls the puck against Edmonton Oilers left wing Dylan Holloway during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark controls the puck in front of Ducks goaltender John Gibson during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark, left, vies for the puck with Ducks defenseman Gustav Lindstrom during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson blocks an Edmonton Oilers shot during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane, center, vies for the puck with Ducks center Bo Groulx, right, and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson, left, catches the puck in front of Edmonton Oilers left wing Warren Foegele (37) during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, talks with teammates before a face off during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, controls the puck as Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg defends during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, controls the puck as Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg defends during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, left, and right wing Jakob Silfverberg, center, line up for a faceoff with Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, right, during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm, left, and goaltender Calvin Pickard defend against the Ducks’ Sam Carrick during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson deflects a shot in front of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane is congratulated at the bench after his first goal during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Dylan Holloway, right, controls the puck while under pressure from Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson blocks an Edmonton Oilers shot during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Ducks’ Cam Fowler controls the puck as the Edmonton Oilers’ Brett Kulak, left, defends during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid readies for a face off during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Ducks’ Ryan Strome skates past the defense of Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard to score a goal during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks center Ryan Strome (16) is congratulated after he scored a goal during the second period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm, back, defends against the Ducks’ Sam Carrick during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, left, and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, front, skate during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane celebrates after scoring his second goal during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane is congratulated at the bench after scoring his second goal during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Derek Ryan, left, and Brett Kulak, right, defend against the Ducks’ Frank Vatrano during the second period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane controls the puck during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks center Isac Lundestrom, right, slides into the net and against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) falls as Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, bottom right, blocks a shot with defenseman Radko Gudas (7) defending during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with left wing Zach Hyman (18) after Draisaitl scored a go-ahead goal against Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, right, during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, left, shows his frustration as Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a go-ahead goal by Leon Draisaitl (29) during the third period on Friday night at the Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, right, congratulates Zach Hyman after he scored a goal during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, top left, blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) with defenseman Radko Gudas (7) defending during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) and left wing Evander Kane (91) celebrate a goal by left wing Zach Hyman, far left, during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, left, passes the puck away from Ducks left wing Max Jones during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ducks center Ryan Strome celebrates after scoring during the third period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Ducks’ Ryan Strome is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the third period of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane skates past the Ducks’ Jackson LaCombe, bottom, and scores an empty-net goal during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane skates past the Ducks’ Jackson LaCombe, bottom, and scores an empty-net goal during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane skates past the Ducks’ Jackson LaCombe, left, on his way to scoring an empty-net goal during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Adam Henrique, right, controls the puck past the defense of the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, right, looks to pass the puck during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Ilya Lyubushkin, left, and goaltender Lukas Dostal, right, defend against the Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane scores an empty-net goal, his third goal of the game, during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane celebrates after scoring an empty-net goal, his third goal of the game as Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler looks on during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, right, blocks a shot by the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl during the third period on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
From left, the Edmonton Oilers’ Brett Kulak, Vincent Desharnais, Mattias Ekholm and Warren Foegele celebrate after their 5-3 comeback victory over the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) celebrates with goaltender Calvin Pickard, right, after the Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates with goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) after the Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Edmonton Oilers fan Dan Steil stands for the Canadian National Anthem prior to a game between the Ducks and the Oilers on Friday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM — The Ducks swapped goals with hockey’s hottest club on Friday night, but they eventually succumbed to the Edmonton Oilers, falling 5-3 at Honda Center.
A hat trick from Oilers forward Evander Kane and a trio of assists for Connor McDavid, including one on what proved to be the third-period game-winning goal by Leon Draisaitl, denied the Ducks a third straight win at home and an opportunity for points in each of their last five games.
Following an eight-day break tied to the NHL All-Star Game, the Ducks used an energetic opening period to gain a rare advantage against the visitors.
After suffering 7-2 and 8-2 defeats against the Oilers earlier this season, the Ducks (18-31-2, 38 points) outscored the resurgent Canadians for the first time in seven periods, temporarily getting the best of a red-hot team (30-16-1, 61 points) that has lifted itself from outside the playoff picture to the third spot in the Pacific Division in recent months.
While McDavid, the Oilers’ star captain and points leader, served a two-minute minor for interference, Cam Fowler’s power-play goal at 18:40 (the defenseman’s first since the middle of November) gave him three on the season.
Assisted by Adam Henrique and Frank Vatrano, who was fresh off a pair of goals during All-Star festivities in Toronto, Fowler took the puck off a faceoff in the Edmonton zone. He moved inside the blue line toward the middle of the ice before firing a wrist shot through traffic that redirected off an Oilers’ stick, besting goaltender Calvin Pickard on his glove side.
The turn of events was short-lived as Edmonton ramped up its attack and play on both sides of the ice loosened up, prompting a trio of alternating goals during a stretch of 3 minutes, 40 seconds.
Kane’s goals, at 9:11 and 12:51, leveled the score twice for Edmonton, which outshot the Ducks 13-2 in the middle period.
Putting the Oilers on the board with an assist from 38-year-old former Duck Corey Perry, finished from a tight angle through a small patch of uncovered space as the puck bounced off Gibson’s face mask.
The Ducks briefly retook the lead on Strome’s seventh at 9:40.
Dumping the puck into the Oilers’ zone, Ducks center Leo Carlsson intercepted a clearance and tapped it to Strome in one motion. The unguarded winger circled around Pickard to net a simple finish for the 13th two-goal game of Strome’s 11-year career and his first since April 19, 2022, with the New York Rangers.
“I think that we deserved a little of a better fate,” Strome said. “I think we worked really hard and did a lot of good things. They’re a good hockey team. They’re on a hell of a roll right now and they’re finding ways to win.”
Edmonton tied the score again when Kane, trailing the play, patiently finished from the high slot off a short shovel pass, beating Gibson between the legs.
Suffering from cramps, Gibson, who stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced, prompted Ducks head coach Greg Cronin to replace him with Lukas Dostal at the start of the decisive third period.
The goaltending tandem saved 27 of the 31 shots they faced, while Pickard stopped 24 of 27.
Throughout a 16-game winning streak that ended Tuesday night in Las Vegas, the Oilers had killed 44 of the 47 power-play chances against them.
At the 3:20 mark, however, Vatrano joined Fowler to assist Strome’s eighth goal of the season, which materialized from the left circle when the Ducks cycled the puck around on another power-play opportunity.
“I thought it was Ryan Strome’s best game in a long time,” Cronin said.
Dostal made his presence felt a short time later by denying a dangerous chance from McDavid and forward Zach Hyman.
At 8:41, though, that combo threatened again when McDavid buzzed through the Ducks’ defense on the way to feeding Hyman. This time Dostal didn’t have a chance as the winger tapped in his 31st from the doorstep.
“McDavid is such a handful in the offensive zone when he has space,” Cronin said.
The Oilers squashed the tit-for-tat contest at 10:09, converting a power-play – Carlsson had been sent to the penalty box for tripping – when yet another cross-ice assist by McDavid provided Draisaitl a look at a clean one-time slap shot for the game-winner.
“If you give that team a power play in the third period, it’s more often than not it’s going to be a goal,” Strome said. “All in all, it was a good effort by us. A lot of positives to keep drawing from. We’ve been on a pretty good run here the last four or five games. We’ve just got to keep building and not get frustrated by the result.”
Edmonton added an empty netter on Kane’s eighth career hat-trick at 18:50, giving him 18 goals on the year to go with McDavid’s 50 assists, good for 71 points.
The Ducks next embark on a four-game, seven-day road trip that begins Tuesday in Montreal before returning to the Honda Center to host Columbus on Feb. 21.
