Puljujarvi becoming impact player for Oilers

EDMONTON --The Edmonton Oilers have not lived up to high expectations this season, but Saturday was a reminder not to give up on the future.
Right wing Jesse Puljujarvi had a goal and two assists, the first three-point game of his NHL career, to help the Oilers to a
5-2 victory
against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place.

With their third straight win, the Oilers (21-23-3) have 45 points, 10 points behind the Calgary Flames for third place in the Pacific Division and 10 points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.
Marveling at Puljujarvi's size (6-foot-4, 211 pounds), his soft hands and his speed, Oilers coach Todd McLellan said the 19-year-old is only at the beginning of his impact days.
"This young guy could have been playing over Christmas at the World Junior tournament still," McLellan said. "He is very young and he's still adapting to life in North America. He's still growing up. As time goes on, he's probably further along than Leon (Draisaitl) was at that age.
"There's a bright future for him here in Edmonton. We just have to keep that development curve going in the right direction."

Puljujarvi, the fourth pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, spent 28 games with the Oilers last season (one goal, seven assists) when he was the youngest player to start the season on an NHL roster in 2016-17.
He was sent to Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Jan. 9 and had 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games.
At training camp this season, he was on the bubble and was sent to the AHL as one of the final cuts.
After four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 games in Bakersfield, he was recalled by the Oilers on Nov. 10 and with 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 30 games, has been earning more trust from his coaches and teammates, and more confidence in himself.
"The sky is as tall as he wants it to be," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. "He's big, skates well, is confident, has a great shot. But I think it all goes back to his size. He's 6-4, still young, trying to (grow) into his body. He'll be that solid-on-his feet, good puck-battle guy. Good in front of the net. The sky's the limit for him."
Draisaitl, who was the center for Puljujarvi and Jujhar Khaira on Saturday, continued the endorsement.
"Everyone is really excited for him," Draisaitl said. "Him coming over from Finland, I can't imagine how hard it is, not being able to speak the language.
"I think he's coming along. You could see it today. He's a very dynamic player and a lot of fun to play with."
Draisaitl said he could see a little of himself in Puljujarvi. After Draisaitl was selected No. 3 in the 2014 NHL Draft, he stayed with the Oilers for 37 games (two goals, seven assists) before he was sent back to junior with Kelowna of the Western Hockey League.

Puljujarvi was born in Alvkarleby, Sweden, and lived there until he was four, then grew up in Oulu, Finland. Oulu is in the northwest section of the country near the border with Sweden, where English is not very prominent.
"Yeah. I think it's hard for him with the language and everything that goes around that," Draisaitl said. "He's learning every day. He's got great work ethic. He's too skilled not to turn out into a very good player."
Against the Canucks, Puljujarvi, who does not turn 20 until May 7, had no cheap or accidental points.
He made a deft, crisp pass through traffic to Khaira, who scored to make to give the Oilers at 2-0 lead at 17:59 of the first period.
After the Canucks tied the game, Puljujarvi bulled his way through traffic near the Vancouver net and put back the rebound of Adam Larsson's point shot for what was the eventual winning goal with 1:06 left in the second period.
In the third period, Puljujarvi laid a perfect, flat pass onto Draisaitl's stick on a 2-on-1 rush to put the Oilers ahead 4-2 at 4:37.
"A fun night," Puljujarvi said. "A good win. I think the whole team played good and my line good, too."
Puljujarvi said he took advantage of the League-mandated five-day break to rest last week but also went skating twice on outdoor ice in Edmonton during the time off, reminding himself about the things he loves about the game.
"One week rest and I feel great, 100 percent," he said. "And I got a little confidence on outdoor rink. Always I do that when I'm young. It's different ice but it's fun to go out there and do little skills and all that. I love that."