4 Edmonton Oilers players who have become unexpected playoff heroes
The Edmonton Oilers have gotten a lot of help from some unexpected players so far in this playoff run.
Things haven’t gone exactly as planned, with the team still on the brink of elimination, but there is a sliver of hope remaining for the Oilers. They are down 3-2 in their first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks and are looking to force a Game 7 back in Edmonton this weekend.
Surprisingly, the team hasn’t been solely relying on their superstars to get them through this series. Rather, it has been the depth that has come to play, while Connor McDavid has struggled through injuries to make his usual impact.
So, which players have stepped up throughout the lineup to pick up the slack? Here are the four most prominent…
1. Vasily Podkolzin
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
2026 playoff stats:Ā 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS, 5 GP
McDavid said it himself after Game 5: Vasily Podkolzin might be one of the Oilers’ best players this postseason.
The Russian forward has already become a fan favourite for his tireless work ethic and physical play, but he has been on another level in this first-round series. He is still doing all the things that make him successful, but he’s becoming a much more potent offensive threat.
Podkolzin notched goals in Games 4 and 5 and has been all around the offensive zone against the Ducks. He’s a point-per-game guy right now and has been an o-zone catalyst for just about every playoff game thus far.
2. Kasperi Kapanen
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
2026 playoff stats:Ā 4 G, 1 A, 5 PTS, 5 GP
Who saw Kasperi Kapanen leading the Oilers in playoff goals this far into the first round?
The Finnish forward has found his groove in the top six, and his fast style of play is translating into great results through five games. Kapanen is a former first-round pick, and he’s showing the skill that made him such a high pick.
He’s got a killer shot and is not afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. Kapanen has been a fantastic surprise for the Oilers so far this postseason.
3. Jason Dickinson
Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
2026 playoff stats: 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS, 3GP
Jason Dickinson has been plagued with injury issues late into the season and the playoffs, but he’s making the most of his playing time.
The veteran centreman has played above his pay grade, putting together a two-goal Game 1 and adding another assist in Game 4. That is good enough to be a point-per-game guy, as he has missed two playoff games thus far.
It’s not a ton, but for a guy who wasn’t expected to bring much offence, Dickinson is doing more than his fair share right now.
4. Connor Murphy
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images
2026 playoff stats: 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS, 5 GP
The boxcars may not show it, but Connor Murphy has been a very steady presence on the Oilers’ blueline.
Much of Murphy’s value has come in his defensive play, and he’s shown a lot of good flashes in this series, while still chipping in offensively here and there. Game 5 may have been his best showing, as he broke up multiple odd-man rushes from Anaheim and helped keep the Ducks limited to just one goal.
Edmonton has been dying for a solid partner for Darnell Nurse, and they’ve been getting that out of Murphy so far.