GAME STORY: Oilers 2, Golden Knights 1

EDMONTON, AB -Ryan Spooner's first as an Oiler stood as the eventual game-winner as Edmonton closes out a perfect homestand, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1.
Mikko Koskinen earned his third straight victory with a 31-save performance, improving his record to 8-2-1 on the season. The Finnish netminder now owns a 5-0-0 record on home ice.
Connor McDavid was named the first star for the second straight game, as his 14th goal of the season puts him back in the top-five in NHL scoring with 35 points.

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GAME DAY
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Box Score
Look back at the In-Game Blog
POST-GAME VIDEO
Full Highlights
OILERS TODAY | Jessica Kent recaps the game from Rogers Place
POST-GAME RAW | Spooner
POST-GAME RAW | McDavid
POST-GAME RAW | Koskinen
POST-GAME RAW | Ken Hitchcock

WHAT'S NEXT
Edmonton travels to the Lone Star State to kick-off a two-game road trip against the Dallas Stars on Monday. The game can be seen on Sportsnet West and heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED. Puck drop is 6:38 p.m. MST.
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"What I liked about the game was the way we played in the third period," said Hitchcock post-game. "We managed the game. We did smart things that took away their strengths and I thought the way played was very good. That, to me, is the maturity of a team. We didn't overpursue and give up a bunch of odd-man rushes and crack. We stayed with the program."
Just 6:11 into the hockey game, the Oilers captain made his mark. After picking up a pass along the boards, McDavid used his speed to get around Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb for the partial breakaway, ultimately faking to his backhand and roofing his 14th goal of the season.
"I see people panic when he's on the ice," shared Hitchcock. "I have never seen a player like that in my life. I have never seen a player do what he does. To be that quick, that quickly, and to get off the mark like that is like a sprinter. He's on a one-on-one and he's in front of you and you're in trouble. I've been in it for a long time and have never seen anything like that.
"This is such an incredible player."
With an assist on the game's opening goal, Oscar Klefbom extended his point streak to four games, his longest of the season. The rearguard has picked up six points (2G, 4A) during that stretch. Leon Draisaitl also extended his point streak to three games with a bank pass that went through the wickets of Nate Schmidt.
The Oilers continued to buzz around the Vegas goal following McDavid's marker, as Ty Rattie eventually drew a penalty, putting the Oilers on their first of three power plays on the night.
Vegas netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was sharp during the Oilers power play, making multiple stops to keep his team within one. Coming into the match, Fleury was riding a personal six-game winning streak.
Edmonton directed 18 shots towards 'Flower' through 20 minutes - the team's highest shot total in a period since Nov. 13 against the Montreal Canadiens.
After Edmonton failed to capitalize on their second power play of the night to begin the middle frame, both teams exchanged quality chances at even strength. Koskinen stopped two golden opportunities before Rattie was ultimately sprung on a breakaway. Before the Oilers winger could get the shot off, Alex Tuch stretched out and disrupted Rattie's shooting motion, getting his stick on the puck to negate the Oilers best opportunity early in the second.

"We were looking for something different and we knew we could go back to Ty," said Hitchcock following the game. "The way Ty played, he's deserved some big cracks here."
On the team's fifth shot of the period, Golden Knights forward William Karlsson picked up a loose puck off the stick of Klefbom and put the visiting team on the board 12:17 into the middle frame. Coming off a career-high 43-goal season in 2017-18, Karlsson is in the midst of regaining his scoring touch after a slow start to the season. With tonight's tally, the Swede has goals in four straight games and nine on the season.
Late in the middle frame, the Oilers got called for a bench minor with too many men on the ice. Vegas carried 1:25 of their second power play into the third, still looking for their first shot on the man-advantage.
Koskinen was tested early in the third period, stopping multiple Marchessault shots from the point to keep the game tied at ones. Coming into the game, the Oilers netminder had a 4-0-0 record at Rogers Place with a sparkling 1.08 GAA and .965 Sv% on home ice.
"When you get a couple games in a row, everything starts feeling better but today the guys did an unbelievable job in front of me," said Koskinen post-game. "My job was pretty easy tonight. I'm thankful for (my teammates)."
On his recent success: "You have to focus in the moment and live in the moment. You can't start thinking about what's in the future or what's been going on in the past. It's always great to play here (at Rogers Place). It's a full house. Tonight was Hockey Night in Canada, so everyone was excited. It's positive to have these kinds of fans here."

Added McDavid on Koskinen: "He's been great. He's been really solid for us for a long time and now we're finding ways to get wins for him."
Rattie's strong night continued as the Oilers winger created a turnover below Vegas goal line 5:50 into the final period that eventually found the stick of Jujhar Khaira. Khaira quickly found Ryan Spooner in the slot for his first tally as an Oiler since being acquired on Nov. 16.
"It feels great," said Spooner post-game. "It's been kind of a rough start here for me and I have been kind of getting into my own head a little bit. I just want to help out.
"(Our line) was playing a North-South game tonight. I think in the league now, if you get kind of cute, it doesn't really work out. I think in the last three games, as a team, we've been awesome."
Hitchcock on the line of Spooner, Khaira and Rattie: "We got good minutes from that line. If that's the type of game we're going to get from them, we're going to have two third lines and that's what we need."
The game-winning goal also marked Spooner's first point with the Orange and Blue in his eighth game with his new club. With an assist, Khaira picked up his first point in eight games and sixth point of the season.
Vegas was relentless in an effort to tie the game up late but it was Koskinen and the Oilers who ultimately stood their ground, as Edmonton ties the season series against the Golden Knights.
With the victory, the Oilers move into sole possession of fifth place in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton's home record improves to 7-4-1 at Rogers Place.
"We're winning games. It's not pretty but we're getting it done and that's all that matters," added McDavid. "The guys are playing the right way."

The Oilers will travel to the Lone Star State to kick off a quick two-game road trip when they face-off against the Dallas Stars on Monday.