With just 1:09 remaining, Vasily Podkolzin scored a backhand goal, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a dramatic 6-5 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. This goal marked Podkolzin's first of the season, complemented by an assist.

Connor McDavid shone in the match, providing three assists that were pivotal in reversing a 5-3 deficit. Support came from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who notched a goal and an assist, while contributions from David Tomasek, Adam Henrique, Andrew Mangiapane, and Leon Draisaitl followed. Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman also made an impact with two assists each, and goalie Calvin Pickard made 22 saves.

Montreal’s offense was spearheaded by Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook, each scoring twice, with Josh Anderson adding another goal. Lane Hutson and Oliver Kapanen contributed with two assists apiece, but Sam Montembeault, despite his 23 saves, couldn't prevent the defeat after a previous overtime win in Calgary.

Montreal opened the scoring at 7:28 of the first period, with Newhook capitalizing on a rebound from a Hutson shot. Edmonton quickly answered, as Tomasek scored his first NHL goal with a slap shot deflecting off Newhook into the far-right corner of the net.

The Oilers surged ahead to a 3-1 lead in the second period, with goals from Henrique and Mangiapane, both assisted by Walman and Nurse. However, Montreal swiftly bounced back, scoring three times within a remarkable 1:52, including two from Caufield and one from Anderson, to take a 4-3 lead into the third.

Newhook further extended Montreal’s lead early in the third, making it 5-3. But Edmonton fought back, with Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins both scoring power-play goals—each set up by McDavid—in under a minute, leveling the game for Podkolzin's last-minute heroics.

This match was a showcase of thrilling skill and teamwork, highlighted by McDavid’s playmaking, Podkolzin’s clutch goal, along with Caufield and Newhook's scoring prowess. The Oilers clinched their second consecutive victory, while the Canadiens faced their second loss in eight outings.