WHAT'S NEXT
The Oilers continue their four-game homestand against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The game can be seen on CBC and heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED. Puck drop is 8:08 p.m. MDT.
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With the extended Euro and East coast trip all said and done, it was time to finally drop the puck on Rogers Place ice.
Edmonton got the first high-quality scoring chance in the opening minute of the match after McDavid barrelled down on a 2-on-1 and missed the far side with a wrist shot.
It was all Bruins following that sequence as Talbot stood tall throughout the first period at home.
The visitors pushed hard on the gas, pumping shot after shot on Talbot, who was forced to make a number of key stops. With Adam Larsson in the box for slashing, the keeper made back-to-back saves on David Pastrnak's wrister and a Patrice Bergeron one-timer.
"He was huge for us tonight," said Nugent-Hopkins of Talbot. "Our start wasn't good enough but he held us in it and gave us a chance to win."
Then late in the period, Talbot got some help from defenceman Darnell Nurse during a scrambled play. The netminder couldn't cover up the puck following a one-timer, allowing Brad Marchand an opportunity to stuff in the rebound. The puck was airborne on its way to the goal-line but Nurse swatted it out of danger to preserve the tie game.
"Talbs was essential in the first period," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan. "We were flat, we were frozen. Once we got going and once we got skating and supporting puck movement, we were a lot better.
"Without Cam's performance in the first period, we don't get a chance to come back."
The Oilers were hampered with injuries in the second, in a period that saw both teams trade goals.
Matt Benning was unable to return to the game halfway through the first, while Ty Rattie was injured just minutes into the second. McLellan was forced to mix and match his lines, giving players elevated roles as a result.
"The back end was taxed very early, obviously with Matt Benning leaving and not coming back," said McLellan of his five defenders. "They gave us some pretty brave minutes, the five of them."
The goal scoring started with centre David Krejci, who received a pass and zipped one glove side.