The Edmonton Oilers delivered a resounding 9-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Rogers Place. The offensive explosion showcased the Oilers' potential, while also highlighting areas of concern for the Kraken. Here are four key takeaways from the game:

1. McDavid's Triumphant Return to Hat Trick Form

Connor McDavid led the charge with a hat trick and an assist, marking his 13th career hat trick in the NHL. This performance ended a drought for McDavid, as he hadn't scored three times in a game since October 27, 2022. His goals came in each period, demonstrating his consistent impact throughout the game. With his playmaking abilities, McDavid also contributed to the success of his teammates.

2. Oilers' Offensive Depth Shines

Beyond McDavid's heroics, the Oilers displayed impressive offensive depth. Matthew Savoie contributed two goals, while Vasily Podkolzin, Zach Hyman, and Mattias Janmark each added a goal. Leon Draisaitl also had a strong performance with a goal and three assists. Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each chipped in with three assists. The Oilers scored three goals in every period, showcasing their ability to maintain offensive pressure throughout the game.

3. Kraken's Special Teams Struggles

The Seattle Kraken's special teams struggled significantly. The Oilers capitalized on their power play opportunities, scoring four goals on five attempts. In contrast, the Kraken failed to score on their three power play chances. Coach Lane Lambert pointed to the importance of special teams, noting that giving up four power-play goals and a shorthanded goal made it difficult to get back into the game. The Oilers' power play was particularly efficient, with one goal coming just seven seconds after winning the face-off.

4. Goaltending Woes for Seattle

The Kraken's goaltending was a major concern in the game. Joey Daccord allowed five goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Philipp Grubauer. Grubauer didn't fare much better, allowing four goals on 18 shots. Lambert acknowledged that the goaltending was not great, contributing to the lopsided score. The performance of both Daccord and Grubauer highlights an area that the Kraken will need to address to improve their overall competitiveness.

Overall, the Oilers' dominant offensive performance and efficient special teams play led to a convincing win over the Kraken. While the Kraken showed some signs of life offensively, their struggles on special teams and in goal ultimately proved too much to overcome.