EDMONTON, AB -- Selected just two spots apart at this summer's draft, Calgary Flames' winger Matthew Tkachuk and Edmonton Oilers' forward Jesse Puljujarvi will make their respective NHL debuts in the inaugural game at Rogers Place.
Tkachuk, the sixth overall selection at the 2016 NHL Draft, was one of the Flames top players throughout the course of the pre-season, netting two goals and scoring the game-winner in a shootout. He spent the 2015-16 season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, posting 30 goals and 107 points in 57 regular season games. In the playoffs, Tkachuk recorded 20 goals and 40 points in 18 games.
Puljujarvi, the fourth overall pick in Buffalo this past June, scored once in six pre-season appearances with the Oilers. He played for Karpat in the Finnish Liiga league last season, scoring 13 goals and 28 points in 50 games. He had four goals and nine points in 10 postseason appearances with Karpat.
Rookies Tkachuk & Puljujarvi face off in NHL debuts
2016 first round picks Matthew Tkachuk and Jesse Puljujarvi will both make their NHL debuts tonight in Edmonton