Controversial goal, blown lead, and more: 3 reasons why Edmonton Oilers lost 5-3 to Anaheim Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers lost a frustrating 5-3 game against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday evening at the Honda Center. The loss marked the second defeat in as many games for the Oilers after losing 5-4 to the LA Kings on Saturday night.

Leon Draisaitl led the way for the Oilers with two power-play goals, while Evan Bouchard added the other. Meanwhile, Cutter Gauthier, Drew Helleson, Robby Fabbri, Ryan Strome, and Mason McTavish got the goals for the Ducks.

So, here’s a look at the three main reasons why the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday evening.

3 reasons why Edmonton Oilers lost to Anaheim Ducks

#3 Calvin Pickard was good, but not good enough

With the Edmonton Oilers playing on back-to-back nights, backup Calvin Pickard got the start. While he played a reasonably good game overall, he surrendered four goals on 31 shots. However, Pickard gave up three unanswered goals to blow the lead late in the third period.

Mason McTavish’s empty-netter sealed the collapse for the Oilers, giving them two straight losses since the Christmas break.

#2 Oilers out of gas, leading to blown lead

Draisaitl’s second power-play goal made it 3-1 at the nine-minute mark of the second period. The Edmonton Oilers seemed in control of the game. But then, they took their foot off the gas, allowing the Ducks to chip away at the lead.

The Ducks tied the game in a span of about five minutes. With the game tied at three heading into the third, the Ducks kept the pressure on until Ryan Strome scored a controversial go-ahead goal at the 17:24 mark of the third.

The Oilers were unable to recover from that goal, eventually giving up the empty-net tally to drop their second-straight decision.

#1 Controversial goal

Strome’s go-ahead goal did not come without controversy. The play originated with a battle along the boards that led to Troy Terry playing the puck behind the net, dishing a behind-the-back feed to Strome. Strome came out from behind the net and attempted to stuff the puck on the short side.

Calvin Pickard had apparently made the save, with the call on the ice being no goal. However, the Ducks challenged the call. The call on the ice was overturned on the replay as it clearly showed the entire puck had gone over the line.

The goal counted and gave the Ducks a 4-3 lead with a little over two minutes to play. It’s worth pointing out that the play happened so fast that the officials on the ice completely missed the call. The review got the call right and handed the Ducks the lead and the two points.

The Edmonton Oilers will get Monday off before facing the Utah Hockey Club on New Year’s Eve.