Oilers beat Rangers 3-1 with Arvidsson's crucial goal

On March 16, 2025, in New York, the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the New York Rangers in a key NHL matchup at Madison Square Garden. The Oilers, having secured a victory against the New York Islanders just two days prior, entered the game looking to build on their winning momentum. Viktor Arvidsson made a decisive impact early in the third period, scoring the go-ahead goal that shifted the game's trajectory in favor of the Oilers. This was Arvidsson's ninth goal of the season, celebrated as he positioned the team ahead 2-1. Edmonton's scoring started in the first period with a power-play goal from Corey Perry, making it 1-0 before the end of the first stanza. The Rangers responded to level the score in the second period when Will Cuylle found the net, registering his 18th goal of the year. Despite this moment of hope, the Rangers could not maintain their competitive edge as the game progressed, which demonstrated their struggles at home where the loss marked their third consecutive defeat at Madison Square Garden. Connor McDavid further solidified the Oilers' lead by scoring his 25th goal of the season with just 3:25 left on the clock, making the score 3-1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins contributed with an impressive three assists during the game, highlighting his playmaking abilities. Meanwhile, Edmonton's Stuart Skinner provided essential defense, finishing the game with 21 saves against the Rangers' attempts to score. This significant victory improved the Oilers’ record to 19 wins and 13 losses on the road. The performance by Leon Draisaitl was also noteworthy, as he assisted Perry's goal, bringing his points tally to 101 for the season. The Rangers, despite a solid start to the season, slipped to 16 wins, 15 losses, and 3 overtime losses at home, showcasing the inconsistency in their performances as the season progressed. In the immediate aftermath of this match, the Oilers looked ahead to hosting Utah on an upcoming Tuesday, aiming to extend their winning streak, while the Rangers prepared for a tough challenge against the Calgary Flames.