Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Game Highlights 25.0: Edmonton Oilers beat New Jersey Devils 4-1
? Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The winning streak has now reached seven games. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the New Jersey Devils for a Sunday afternoon matinee and came out on top with a 4-1 victory. Below are the highlights from the game.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS ARE PRESENTED BY BETWAY

After a tight first period that remained scoreless until the final couple of minutes, Derek Ryan put the Oilers on the board with his third goal of the season. Brett Kulak fired the puck deep into New Jersey’s zone along the boards and Sam Gagner flipped it out front for Ryan, who got a shot under the pads of goaltender Akira Schmid.

The ice tilted in Edmonton’s favour in the second period but Schmid made some big saves to keep the score at 1-0. Late in the frame with Curtis Lazar in the penalty box for tripping, Evan Bouchard buried his eighth goal of the season with a one-timer from the point. Bouchard is now riding an 11-game point streak with 16 points across those 11 games.

The Oilers extended their lead to 3-0 a few minutes into the third period. New Jersey goaltender Akira Schmid went behind his net to play the puck and the Devils defenders did a terrible job of supporting him. Evander Kane was able to centre a pass to Connor McDavid, who buried the puck into the empty net.

The Devils got on the board not long after McDavid’s goal to bring the score to 3-1. Nico Hischier threw a shot-pass across Edmonton’s zone and Jesper Bratt tipped it past Calvin Pickard to break up his shutout bid.

Pickard was excellent for the Oilers in this game, as he stopped 19 of 20 shots for his first win with the Oilers. The Devils pulled their goalie with a few minutes left in the third period and Evander Kane iced things at 4-1 with his 12th goal of the season.

This article first appeared on Oilersnation and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Kotkaniemi Hire, Stolarz’s 'Snub' & Domi’s Challenge
NHL

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Kotkaniemi Hire, Stolarz’s 'Snub' & Domi’s Challenge

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to give fans plenty to talk about as training camp creeps closer. While the roster remains largely set, the front office has been busy making tweaks, and questions about depth and consistency are never far from the surface. This edition of Maple Leafs News Rumours will share a mix of storylines—from an intriguing front-office hire with a family twist, to Olympic chatter surrounding Anthony Stolarz, and pressure building on Max Domi to carve out a bigger role. Each narrative sheds light on different challenges facing the Maple Leafs as they head into the 2025-26 season. Item One: Maple Leafs Hire Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Father as Scout The Maple Leafs announced an interesting front-office addition this week, bringing in Mikael Kotkaniemi—the father of Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi—as a European scout. He posted on LinkedIn that it was “a real privilege” to join the organization and spoke about the passion surrounding the team. Of course, the hire has sparked speculation. Toronto is thin down the middle behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi could be seen as a possible trade target if Carolina looks to move him. Still, it’s worth keeping perspective: Mikael’s role is on the scouting side, and family ties don’t necessarily mean a deal is in the works. For now, it’s simply an intriguing move that adds another wrinkle to the Maple Leafs’ busy offseason. Item Two: Anthony Stolarz Still Has More to Prove Some fans were surprised when Anthony Stolarz didn’t receive a U.S. Olympic camp invite, but calling it a “snub” is a stretch. Sure, he had an exceptional first season with the Maple Leafs, posting a .926 save percentage and ranking among the NHL’s leaders in advanced goaltending stats. However, it was also the first time in his career that he played more than 30 games, and it ended prematurely due to a knee injury. When you look at the competition—Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, and even Joey Daccord—it’s clear why USA Hockey wasn’t ready to slide Stolarz into the mix. At 31, he’s a late bloomer, not an established starter. If he can repeat his strong play this season and stay healthy, the conversation could change. For now, there’s no snub here, just a goalie who still has some things to prove. Item Three: Max Domi Needs to Bring Back His Edge Domi has shown flashes of being a difference-maker, but consistency has been the issue. After his 72-point season in Montreal back in 2018-19, he’s struggled to recapture that level of play. In two seasons with the Maple Leafs, he has appeared in 154 games, scoring just 17 goals and adding 63 assists. The encouraging sign is that Domi has inclined to play a more disruptive role. Maybe it comes from watching his dad play with the Blue White. Max hits, blocks shots, and is willing to mix it up physically. All of which have increased since he got to Toronto, showing that he understands how to contribute in other ways. But Toronto still needs him to deliver in key moments. He has 15 career game-winning goals, yet only two of them have come during his time with the Maple Leafs. If he can combine his grit with a scoring touch, Domi could fill a role this team desperately needs—an agitator who also changes games on the scoreboard. What’s Next for the Maple Leafs? The Maple Leafs enter the 2025-26 season with no shortage of storylines. A front-office hire may or may not signal bigger roster moves. Stolarz has to prove last season wasn’t a one-off, and Domi faces the challenge of becoming more than a depth piece. Each of these stories will help shape what kind of team Toronto becomes this season. As always with this franchise, expectations are high. The Maple Leafs believe they’re contenders, but turning that belief into playoff success remains the challenge. Training camp and the early months of the season should offer plenty of clues about whether this group can take the next step.

Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details
NFL

Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to deal with David Mulugheta insofar as to get Micah Parsons' agent to fill out the paperwork on the contract extension that was already negotiated. During an appearance with Michael Irvin on Thursday, Jones said Mulugheta told him to shove the paperwork up their heinie. "When we wanted to send the details to the agent, The agents told us to stick it up our a--," Jones said. "Just so we're clear. (Parsons) and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent, and we had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. "We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, 'Don't bother, because we've got all that to negotiate.' Well, I'd already negotiated. I'd already moved off my mark on several areas." Following an incoherent analogy to a child going between a mom and dad to negotiate, Jones accused Mulugheta of trying to "stick his nose" in negotiations to try to get the Cowboys to cave for a better deal for his client. Jones has no plans to back down from the agreement he had already worked out with Parsons. "In my mind, for the Dallas Cowboys, we've got it done," Jones said. "And if the agent wants to finish up the details, which he should, and do all the paperwork, he can do that, and we're ready to go. But as far as the amount of money, the years, the guarantees, all of that we negotiated." Dallas is set to conclude its preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night with no end in sight to the biggest distraction on the team this summer. Jones should have avoided the situation with Parsons by dealing with Mulugheta directly, but that might have caused the theatre to be much less dramatic before the regular season.

Bengals' Joe Burrow puts NFL on notice amid Trey Hendrickson standoff
NFL

Bengals' Joe Burrow puts NFL on notice amid Trey Hendrickson standoff

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow finished fourth in Most Valuable Player Award voting for the 2024 season after his club missed the playoffs. During a recent chat with NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Burrow put the league on notice regarding how he's feeling heading into the upcoming campaign. "I’m not sure I would say anyone is playing the position better than I am right now," Burrow remarked. "I'm pretty confident in my ability to go out and do that every Sunday. Now, it’s just showing that consistency, showing it year in and year out. I think what separates the legends is being able to do it year in, year out for five, 10 years at a time. So, trying to be able to find that consistency in my discipline and my process, doing the easy stuff in my sleep and then making the hard stuff look easy, then making a couple of great plays here and there, that’s what I am trying to do every week." Pro Football Reference stats show that Burrow ended the 2024 regular season leading the league with 460 completions, 652 pass attempts, 4,918 passing yards, 43 passing touchdowns and an average of 289.3 passing yards per game. The Bengals subsequently rewarded their QB1 during the offseason by signing wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, wideout Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesicki to new deals. "We want to be the best offense in the NFL," Burrow told Breer. That said, Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson remains in the middle of what's become an ugly contract standoff. Hendrickson is in the final year of his existing deal, and the two sides seemingly aren't close to agreeing on the amount of guaranteed money that would be attached to an extension. Burrow has repeatedly made it known throughout the summer that he thinks the Bengals should "reward" Hendrickson with a pay raise. "...I think the more that I can explain the thoughts of the locker room, explain why doing one thing one way might affect feelings in the locker room, as opposed to doing something a different way, it’s my job as a quarterback to be able to relay information like that," Burrow said about campaigning for Hendrickson to get paid before Cincinnati opens the 2025 season at the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 7. "And whatever their decisions are with that information, that’s for them to decide." On Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Bengals at -140 odds to make the playoffs this season. Having a happy Hendrickson in the lineup would only improve Cincinnati's chances of enjoying what could become a special campaign.

10 bold predictions for the 2025 college football season
College Football

10 bold predictions for the 2025 college football season

Expect the unexpected when it comes to college football. Though traditional heavyweights like Ohio State, Michigan and Georgia have recently won national titles, there is hardly a sport that produces weekly drama like college football. It's tough to forecast the unexpected, but here are 10 bold predictions for the 2025-26 season. 1. Alabama misses the College Football Playoff again Games at No. 5 Georgia and No. 13 South Carolina, plus Florida State, Missouri and Auburn, make for a tough road slate. Couple that with a new quarterback in Ty Simpson, and questions abound. A stacked defense could cover up for some offensive growing pains, but how quickly does Simpson settle in? The season will depend on it. By the way, you have to go back to 2006 and 2007 to find the last time Alabama missed a BCS bowl game or the CFP two seasons in a row. 2. Penn State finally breaks through This is the year James Franklin and Penn State defeat Ohio State and win the Big Ten. Drew Allar's return at quarterback for PSU for his senior season is the difference. An experienced quarterback is something neither Ohio State, Oregon or Michigan has. 3. Michigan finishes outside the Top 25 Michigan has the on-field talent (don't miss No. 1 QB prospect Bryce Underwood), but the recent sign-stealing sanctions hang like a cloud over the program. It might subside if Michigan wins, but what if it suffers early-season losses at Oklahoma and/or Nebraska? There could be a snowball effect. 4. A wide receiver will win the Heisman Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back, claiming the 2024 Heisman. Another wide receiver will win this year. How about Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith (76 rec, 1,315 yards, 15 TD in 2024) or Alabama's Ryan Williams (48 rec, 865 yards, 8 TD in 2024)? 5. Three SEC programs fire their coach Last season was unusually quiet on the coaching carousel, especially in the SEC. All 16 coaches return, but several are on varying degrees of the hot seat. Billy Napier (Florida), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Hugh Freeze (Auburn), Brent Venables (Oklahoma) and Mark Stoops (Kentucky) are all coaches to keep an eye on. None of the five programs listed is expected to finish in the top four of the conference, meaning some will be .500 or worse. 6. Utah wins the Big 12 The Utes are going to bounce back in a wide-open Big 12. Health is the key here as injuries ruined the 2024 campaign. One reason for optimism? New offensive coordinator Jason Beck and incoming quarterback Devon Dampier came from New Mexico, where they engineered the Lobos' best offensive season in eight years. 7. The Group of 6 CFP bid comes from the American Boise State is the favorite to represent the Group of 6 in the CFP, but the American champion will receive the bid this season. Look for as many as five teams to vie for the title. Tulane brought in 20 transfers to bolster its roster, but Navy returns quarterback Blake Horvath (1,353 passing yards, 13 TD, 1,254 rushing yards, 17 TD). It should be an exciting watch. 8. The ACC receives one bid for the CFP The ACC managed to grab two CFP bids last season, but it won't happen again this year. Clemson is the favorite and should be a part of the 12-team field. No. 10 Miami could be in the hunt, but games against No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 15 Florida and at No. 16 SMU pose a threat. Remember, the Canes were left out last season with just two losses. 9. Vanderbilt increases its win total again The Commodores were the surprise story of 2024, going 7-6 after a 2-10 season in 2023. Vandy will win at least eight games this year thanks to 77 percent of its 2024 production returning. Quarterback Diego Pavia (2,293 yards, 20 TD) is the little engine that could. The 'Dores season will be decided between Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 when they play road games at No. 8 Alabama and No. 1 Texas, along with home contests against No. 9 LSU and Missouri. 10. No agreement will be reached to change the CFP format We'll know the answer to this by Dec. 1, as that's the date the CFP committee has set to determine the format for 2026-31. With the Big Ten still throwing out radical ideas, people are upset and it seems no deal is imminent. "We sound like immature children throwing garbage against the wall," one CFP executive recently told CBS Sports.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!