Mattias Ekholm scores as Oilers defeat Sharks 3-1

Ekholm starts the scoring

Mattias Ekholm put the Edmonton Oilers ahead, and they held on to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Saturday at SAP Center. The Oilers, playing as the visiting team, led 1-0 after the first period and carried that advantage through a scoreless second.

Ekholm’s first-period goal came on a slap shot, with assists from Isaac Howard and Josh Samanski. It was Ekholm’s first goal of the game and gave Edmonton the only goal of the opening period.

Edmonton adds two in the third

The Oilers extended the lead in the third when Vasily Podkolzin scored on a slap shot. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard assisted on the play, which made the score 2-0.

Edmonton scored again when Alex Formenton made it 3-0 on a backhand. Mathieu Joseph and Connor Murphy were credited with assists.

San Jose answered later in the period. Macklin Celebrini scored on a wrist shot, assisted by Michael Misa, to bring the Sharks within two goals. The goal left Edmonton with a 3-1 advantage, which held through the final score.

Records and game details

The Oilers’ three goals came in the first and third periods: one in the opening period, none in the second and two in the third. San Jose’s lone goal came in the third, producing the 3-0-1 scoring line by period from Edmonton’s perspective.

Ekholm was credited with one goal and one point for Edmonton. Celebrini had one goal and one point for San Jose, while Misa had one assist. The Oilers improved to 4-0-1 with 9 points, and the Sharks moved to 3-2-0 with 6 points. Attendance was 17,435.

Sources

ESPN