The Edmonton Oilers suffered a disheartening 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, January 3, 2026, continuing their struggles after returning from the Christmas break. The Oilers now hold a record of 20-16-6. Here are three takeaways from the game:

Slow Start and Defensive Lapses

The Oilers had an abysmal first period, despite outshooting the Flyers 13-9. The team struggled defensively, with key players like Leon Draisaitl, Vasily Podkolzin, Jack Roslovic, and Darnell Nurse all posting a minus-2 rating within the first ten minutes of the game. Nurse, in particular, had a difficult period, making a bad read that led directly to a Flyers goal. The Flyers capitalized on these defensive breakdowns, taking a 3-1 lead in the first period. Overall, the Oilers seemed to be playing like a one-man team, relying heavily on Connor McDavid while other players struggled to contribute effectively.

Lack of Offensive Pushback

After narrowing the score to 3-2 in the second period, the Oilers failed to generate enough offense in the third. Edmonton managed a mere six shots on goal in the final frame, with most of them coming in the last few minutes when the goalie was pulled. The team went without a shot on goal for the first seven minutes of the third period, a concerning lack of urgency when trailing by a single goal. The Flyers' stingy defense stifled the Oilers' attack, preventing them from creating quality scoring chances. The Oilers' power play also failed to capitalize, going zero for two.

Matinee Woes Continue

This loss continues a trend of poor performances by the Oilers in afternoon games. With Saturday's defeat, their record in weekend afternoon games falls to 5-10. The Oilers have often appeared flat and uninspired in these matinee matchups, struggling to find the same energy and intensity they display in evening games. This game was also "Oilers Next Gen" day, where kids took over roles such as announcer and in-arena host.

The Flyers received goals from Denver Barkey, Travis Sanheim, Bobby Brink, Nick Seeler, and Owen Tippett. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard scored for Edmonton. Goalie Dan Vladar was solid for Philadelphia, stopping 22 shots. The Oilers will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they host the Nashville Predators.