Oilers Reactions Emerge After Controversial Game 4 OT Goal vs Ducks
The Edmonton Oilers dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 4 on Sunday, despite holding both a 2-0 and 3-2 lead earlier in the night.
The loss puts Edmonton down 3-1 in the first-round series, a similar two-games-down situation to the one the team faced twice during last year's playoffs.
All headlines coming off Game 4 have focused on the Ducks' controversial overtime winner and the review process that confirmed it, prompting responses from Oilers players Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm, as well as head coach Kris Knoblauch.
Defenseman Ekholm questioned how the play was determined by the referees and NHL officials to be conclusive.
"I don't know how they see it as a conclusive goal. I just don't," Ekholm said.
Ekholm added that the replay angles did not provide clear evidence, but acknowledged there's nothing the Oilers can do about the decision.
"Maybe there is somebody who can prove otherwise, but it doesn't matter. They called it a goal and we'll have to abide with that," Ekholm said.
"We played better defensively tonight… Tough ending. Seven games, first to four... We've gotta go back home, win a home game & go from there."
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 27, 2026
Mattias Ekholm shares his thoughts following tonight's #Oilers defeat in overtime.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilerspic.twitter.com/kgmKXIvWnp
Kris Knoblauch also addressed the review, pointing to past situations where similar plays had gone the other way.
"It was very close," Knoblauch said. "I've seen it before where I thought we were going to get away with it. I've seen it in the past where I thought goals have gone in and they haven't been able to prove them, so I thought that's what the call was going to be. Obviously, they thought otherwise."
Connor McDavid, who recorded two power-play assists in the game, described the Ducks' goal in interesting terms but just accepted it.
"Not exactly an oil painting of a goal," McDavid said. "It's playoff time. You toss the puck on net and sometimes you get rewarded. Tonight they were."
The loss leaves the Edmonton Oilers facing elimination entering Game 5 at home, with puck drop scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Related: Connor McDavid Addresses Health Concerns After Oilers' Game 4 Loss
Related: Oilers' Tristan Jarry Addresses Controversial OT Goal After Game 4 Loss to Ducks
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:59 PM.