- Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scored a goal and added an assist in Edmonton’s 5-2 preseason win over Winnipeg
- Evan Bouchard piled up four assists and new blueliner Ryan Shea had a goal and two helpers in his Oilers debut
- Read below for how Mike Babcock’s new top line looked in his first game behind the Edmonton bench
Mike Babcock’s big idea got its first real test on Saturday night, and it went fine.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scored a goal and set up another as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 at Rogers Place. It was the preseason opener for both clubs and Babcock’s first game behind the Oilers bench.
McDavid put Edmonton ahead 2-1 at 9:31 of the first period, throwing a puck toward the front of the net that bounced in off a Jets skater. Take a look at the captain getting his first of the exhibition season:
Draisaitl stretched the lead to 3-1 at 12:08 of the second period with a wrist shot from up top that nobody picked up. Here’s the German winger opening his account:
Evan Bouchard led everyone with four assists. His new partner Ryan Shea scored and chipped in two helpers in his Oilers debut after signing a five-year, $20 million contract on July 1, and the goal came 6:52 into the game to tie it 1-1:
Alex Formenton scored at 13:51 of the second to make it 4-1, and Colton Dach added an empty-netter at 18:55 of the third.
Tristan Jarry stopped 15 of the 16 shots he saw over two periods in his preseason debut for Edmonton. Matt Tomkins took the third and made four saves.
Parker Ford opened the scoring for Winnipeg at 1:58 of the first period, and Jacob Julien cut it to 4-2 at 15:53 of the third. Thomas Milic finished with 23 saves for the Jets.
The top line led all Edmonton forwards in ice time, McDavid at 19:13 and Draisaitl at 19:11, and both finished plus-four. Vasily Podkolzin skated on their right side, the same trio that has been together since captains’ skates in early September.
Babcock committed to the pairing on the first day of camp. Edmonton has three preseason games left to settle what goes behind it.
