The Edmonton Oilers' highly anticipated return to Rogers Place turned into a night of utter disappointment as the home team was decisively beaten 8-3 by the visiting Dallas Stars on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
A Disastrous Start Seals the Fate
Fresh off a quality finish to a difficult road trip, the Oilers promptly stunk the joint out at home, in the words of the original report. The game was effectively decided in the first period alone, as the Oilers dug a massive hole by allowing four goals. A fifth Dallas goal was waived off, offering little consolation.
The defensive breakdown was comprehensive. Goaltender Stuart Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard after the first intermission, having conceded four goals on just eight shots.
Brief Spark Extinguished by Dallas Power Play
A glimmer of hope emerged in the second period when rookie Connor Clattenburg scored his first NHL goal to make the score 4-1, momentarily energizing the home crowd.
However, any momentum was swiftly killed by the Dallas power play. The Stars scored two quick power-play goals, stretching their lead to 6-1 by the end of the second period. The Oilers were unable to mount a meaningful challenge, and the final frame saw a few inconsequential goals exchanged, resulting in a fugly 8-3 final score.
Edmonton Oilers Player Grades: A Tough Report Card
Stuart Skinner (Grade 2)
Skinner had a night to forget. While some of the goals against him were products of defensive breakdowns, the final goal of the first period was particularly weak—a wrister that he got a piece of, only to see it pop over him for a Dallas player to tap in.
Calvin Pickard (Grade 4)
Pickard faced 14 shots in the second period. The two goals that beat him were on power plays, with his defenders proving ineffective in front of the net. He made notable saves on Bourque and Petrovic but had no chance on a strange deflection for the 7-3 goal and a puck left alone in the slot for the 8-3.
Connor McDavid (Grade 4)
The captain was uncharacteristically quiet for the first forty minutes. He lost his man on the 4-0 goal and later hit the post and crossbar. Despite having decent underlying metrics (62% CF 5v5), his game was clearly off.
Jack Roslovic (Grade 6)
Roslovic was the best Oiler in the first period, stopped on a breakaway and creating other chances. He was finally rewarded by hammering home a rebound for the 7-3 goal.
Matt Savoie (Grade 5)
Savoie showed some jump, setting up Roslovic for a good chance and making a nice touch pass to McDavid on the Roslovic goal. He also contributed with gritty defensive plays on the penalty kill.
Evan Bouchard (Grade 4)
Bouchard looked lost defensively in the first period, contributing directly to several goals against. He did manage to blast home a goal to make it 6-2, but the early damage had already been done.
