The Edmonton Oilers secured a 4-3 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night, but the win, while welcomed, felt more like a narrow escape than a dominant performance. Leon Draisaitl sealed the deal just 19 seconds into the extra period, but the Oilers' overall play suggested underlying issues that need addressing.

Connor McDavid had a strong performance, scoring two goals and an assist. Draisaitl, in addition to his game-winning goal, contributed two assists. Jack Roslovic also added a goal for the Oilers. Goaltender Stuart Skinner stopped 33 shots, playing a crucial role in keeping the Oilers in the game. McDavid acknowledged Skinner's performance, stating that Skinner gave them a chance to win. Zach Hyman made his season debut after recovering from wrist surgery, contributing an assist and a game-high 11 hits.

Despite the win, McDavid expressed that the team's three-on-three play in overtime has been better in past years. This suggests that even in a moment of victory, the team recognizes areas needing improvement. The Oilers took the lead early in the game with goals from Roslovic and McDavid in the first period. However, the Hurricanes responded with goals from Eric Robinson, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Jordan Staal, tying the game multiple times. McDavid briefly regained the lead for the Oilers in the third period before Staal quickly equalized.

The Oilers' record now stands at 9-7-4. They next face the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. The Hurricanes, who are now 12-5-1, suffered their first overtime loss of the season. They will travel to Boston to play the Bruins on Monday to begin a four-game road trip.

The Oilers' tendency to get into OT games, while resulting in victories, highlights a need for more consistent dominance throughout the full 60 minutes of regulation. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly from its star players, but maintaining leads and minimizing defensive lapses remain key areas for development.