Third-period flurry carries Oilers to win over Sharks

Max Jones and Zach Hyman scored 3:23 apart early in the third period as the Edmonton Oilers picked up two vital points in a 5-3 victory over the visiting San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:08am

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The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Tuesday, with Max Jones and Zach Hyman scoring two goals in the third period to lead the Oilers to victory. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor Murphy, and Vasily Podkolzin also scored for the Oilers, while Kiefer Sherwood and Dmitry Orlov scored for the Sharks.

Why it matters

The win was crucial for the Oilers, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race. The Sharks, on the other hand, fell further behind the Oilers in the standings, making their postseason hopes more difficult.

The details

The Oilers jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, but the Sharks battled back to tie the game at 3-3 in the second period. However, the Oilers' third-period flurry proved to be the difference, with Jones and Hyman scoring the game-winning and insurance goals, respectively.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Jones scored the game-winning goal 4:49 into the third period.
  • Hyman added an insurance goal minutes later in the third period.

The players

Max Jones

An Edmonton Oilers forward who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Zach Hyman

An Edmonton Oilers forward who scored an insurance goal in the third period.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

An Edmonton Oilers forward who scored a power-play goal in the first period.

Connor Murphy

An Edmonton Oilers defenseman who scored a goal in the first period.

Vasily Podkolzin

A San Jose Sharks forward who scored a goal in the first period.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to fight for every point as we push for the playoffs. This was a big win for us tonight.”

— Max Jones, Edmonton Oilers forward

“We had our chances, but couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. We'll need to regroup and come back stronger in our next game.”

— Kiefer Sherwood, San Jose Sharks forward

What’s next

The Oilers will continue their four-game homestand on Thursday, while the Sharks will look to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Oilers' resilience and ability to respond in the third period, which could prove crucial as they battle for a playoff spot. For the Sharks, it was a missed opportunity to gain ground on their division rival.