It's been quite a stretch for the Oilers. They played the 2018 Global Series Challenge, a 4-3 overtime win against Kolner Haie of the DEL, Germany's top pro league, in a preseason game at Cologne, Germany, on Oct. 3, then the 2018 Global Series game against the New Jersey Devils, a 5-2 loss, to start their regular season at Gothenburg, Sweden, on Oct. 6.
Edmonton then played road games against the Bruins on Oct. 11 (4-1 loss) and the New York Rangers on Oct. 13 (2-1 win).
The Oilers flew back to Edmonton after the afternoon game in New York and had an off day Sunday. They practiced at home Monday before traveling to Winnipeg later that day.
It was only one full day at home, their first since leaving for Europe on Sept. 30, but the Oilers said it was much needed.
"The fact that we went home and checked in with family creates a bit of normalcy to it and practicing in our own building," coach Todd McLellan said. "And in and out for this game (against Winnipeg) feels a little more normal and perhaps the most important thing, it feels like we're back in the NHL, we're back in North America and we watch games and we're aware of what's going on rumor-wise and we see who's injured and who isn't.
"When you spend that much time overseas, you kind of get away from it. It's nice to be back."
Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said that although it was out of the way, going to Edmonton for nearly two days before traveling to Winnipeg was the best decision.
"It was nice to go home," he said. "A lot of time in Europe, a lot of traveling, so it was nice to get home for a day, to unpack and get rid of the big suitcase with all the dirty laundry. It was good to refresh our bodies and minds a little bit.