GAME RECAP: Oilers 5, Coyotes 1

GLENDALE, AZ - Let the good times roll.
The Edmonton Oilers extended their 2021-22 season-opening winning streak to four games Thursday at Gila River Arena with a convincing 5-1 drubbing over the Arizona Coyotes.
Connor McDavid netted three points, scoring goal No. 200 of his career in the second period, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added three helpers, Zach Hyman scored two special-teams tallies, and Mikko Koskinen recorded his second consecutive victory of the season.

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FIRST BLOOD

Warren Foegele flashed and danced to draw first blood for the Oilers at 18:02 of the opening frame. The forward powered through the neutral zone then dipsy-doodled past Arizona's Dysin Mayo before chipping the puck blocker side on goaltender Karel Vejmelka. The highlight-reel goal was Foegele's first in an Oilers uniform and with an assist on the play, Zack Kassian earned his 100th career helper.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Another game, another milestone for McDavid. The Oilers Captain deposited two goals on the evening, including the 200th career National Hockey League tally with his fifth of the season at 8:53 of the second period. No. 97 stepped within the right circle, cut into the middle of the ice and zipped a wrist shot far side for the milestone marker. McDavid became the fourth-fastest Oilers player to reach the benchmark, achieving the feat in 411 games.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Mikko Koskinen's best save of the night came early when the game was still up for grabs during a scoreless deadlock. The Finnish netminder made an incredible blocker stop on offensive defenceman Jakob Chychrun, who scored 18 times just a season ago. Koskinen concluded the night with 27 saves on 28 shots and holds a 1.36 goals-against average and .952 save percentage through two games.

TURNING POINT

The Oilers were buzzing in all on-ice situations Thursday night as Zach Hyman's shorthanded goal at 6:31 of the middle stanza deflated any momentum the Coyotes hoped to gain from the powerplay. Hyman caught a break in the defensive zone for a rush up the ice alongside Darnell Nurse, electing to keep, shoot and snipe Vejmelka's glove hand for his first of the night.

TOP PERFORMER

Despite many players in the Oilers lineup having multi-point nights and solid defensive efforts, none other than McDavid earns top performer honours with three points, which includes his 200th career tally. McDavid has 11 points this year with six goals and five assists through four outings.

PARTING WORDS

Head Coach Dave Tippett's assessment of the win:
"We fumbled some pucks early and they came at us hard. We kind of weathered a bit of a storm but I liked the way we played most of the game. We were pretty solid, got a lead, I liked what our powerplay did in the third period when we finally got an opportunity. At 3-1, that's what you want your powerplay to do, go out there and push the game to 4-1, you're moving in the right direction.
"A lot of good things from our team tonight, Koskinen was really solid in goal. We didn't have to overtax anybody with the back-to-back. We came on the road to try to get four points and we got two, now we got to go into Vegas for a real tough game tomorrow night."
Coach Tippett on McDavid's achievement and his excellence on the ice:
"We talked about Connor and Leon with some friends of mine today and the best thing about those guys are they're great, great players. Connor had an unbelievable year last year and it started off well but they want to win. They're good people, they want to play hard, they want to play the right way and they want to win. You love their attitude and love their commitment to helping our team win."
Tippett on Foegele's pretty goal in the first period:
"A big goal on a great individual effort. He's kind of like a bull in a China shop out there. Just bulled his way down the wing, got to it on net and it went in. He's been a really solid player for us here. He comes as advertised: he's hard and he's heavy, he goes to the net and he's contributing on some PK for us, too. He's a good player."
Tippett thoughts on who could be in net tomorrow night for Edmonton:
"Koski played really well. I'd like to see him play. I've got to talk to the trainers, talk to Schwartzy and we'll come to a final decision. He played very well tonight, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't play tomorrow."

McDavid on the Oilers first road game outside of Canada in over a year:
"It's fun. It's nice to get back on the road, get back to the States and play in front of some different fans. It was a fun year last year playing in the Canadian Division but it's nice to get back to a little bit of normalcy and play in some different buildings."
McDavid's thoughts on the Foegele-Ryan-Kassian line:
"They've been so good for us. In our four games, they've got the first goal in two or three of the games, at least. They're getting us going and kind of have that identity and are buying into that and giving us a ton of momentum and energy throughout the game. That line has been amazing and Foegs with a big goal tonight. They've been big for us all four games.
"The most impressive thing is how well they all skate and their forechecking. They take pride in forechecking and getting rolling around in the O-Zone. It's impressive to watch. It's pretty clear when all three guys are on the same page and those three guys clearly are."
McDavid on reaching goal 200 of his career in the same week as Leon Draisaitl:
"We've kind of come up together and grown up together. To be going through this whole thing together, it's fun. It's special to be part of that. We've grown really close and it's fun both on and off the ice with Leon."
McDavid on Koskinen's performance:
"I thought he's been fantastic for us. Stepping into a tough spot the other night down 4-3 and he's kind of got to hold the thing at four. Tonight, I didn't think we got off to the best start. I thought they came out with great energy and excitement, and it took us a little bit to match it. He gave us that opportunity to get our feet going. I really liked his game tonight."
Zach Hyman on scoring a power-play goal and shorthanded goal in the same game:
"I think it was the first time I've done that. It's great to contribute, obviously. Shorthanded, you're just trying to kill a penalty and luckily, we got a break there. Nuge made a great play up, Doc jumped up in the rush for a 2-on-1. And on the powerplay, I'm just trying to fit in with those guys. They've been at it for a long time. Just get to the net and bang one home."