Anaheim won because their power play converted twice to erase a two-goal deficit, and depth forwards Viel and Poehling closed it out at even strength when Edmonton's structure collapsed.
⚡TURNING POINT
Gauthier's power-play goal at 7:36 of the second broke Edmonton's two-goal grip and reframed the game from a comfortable Oilers lead to a genuine contest. That goal began a 2-0 power-play period for Anaheim that completely neutralised Edmonton's first-period structure advantage, shifting psychological and tactical control to the home team.
🏆WHY ANA WON (ranked by impact — most decisive first)
1
Special Teams: PP 2-for-4 (50.0%) — Anaheim's power play generated both second-period goals to erase a 2-0 deficit, doing the core structural work that made overtime possible.
2
Shot Volume: 38 shots to Edmonton's 27 — sustained territorial pressure forced Edmonton into 17 blocks and created the conditions for Viel and Poehling to score at even strength when it mattered.
3
Faceoff Control: 53.0% (35 of 66 won) — Anaheim's faceoff edge provided consistent zone-entry and puck-retrieval advantages that supported both the power play and their even-strength comeback.
📉WHY EDM LOST (ranked by impact — biggest failure first)
1
Penalty Discipline: 8 PIM (4 penalties) vs. Anaheim's 4 PIM — gifting a 50% power play to Anaheim directly produced the two goals that erased the lead and eventually cost the game.
2
Goaltending: Jarry conceded 0.20 goals above league average on 38 shots — against a team generating that volume, that margin contributed to a game that should have been closed out.
3
Even-Strength Structure: Viel scored at 13:31 of the third and Poehling won it in OT, both at even strength — Edmonton's inability to protect leads at 5v5 in the third period and overtime was the execution failure that finished them.
Three Stars
Jackson LaCombe1st
ANA, D
0G 2A 2PTOI 29:54+/- +1
Playing nearly 30 minutes, LaCombe assisted on both power-play goals in the second period, making him the primary architect of Anaheim's comeback.
Cutter Gauthier2nd
ANA, L
1G 0A 1PSOG 54 hits
Gauthier's power-play goal at 7:36 of the second was the pre-determined turning point of the game, and his five shots on goal reflected sustained pressure throughout.
Ryan Poehling3rd
ANA, C
1G 0A 1PSOG 3TOI 13:09+/- +1
Poehling won the game with the overtime goal in just 13 minutes of ice time, delivering maximum efficiency when the result was on the line.
