GAME RECAP: Oilers 5, Jets 2 (Preseason)

EDMONTON, AB – Evan Bouchard led the way with four assists, while Ryan Shea contributed a goal & two helpers in a first-star performance for the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday to mark his preseason debut with the club in a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place to open the preseason.

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each had a goal & assist, combining with Vasily Podkolzin as part of an effective Oilers' top line, with forwards Alex Formenton and Colton Dach also getting on the scoresheet in Edmonton's opening preseason victory.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry allowed one goal on 16 shots in nearly two periods of action, before Matt Tomkins took over the crease late in the middle stanza and finished off the victory by making four saves during the final frame plus change.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Jets scored early through Parker Ford less than two minutes into regulation, but the Oilers were up by a pair half a period later, leading 2-1 after the opening frame of preseason off goals from Ryan Shea and Connor McDavid only 2:29 apart.

Shea made a smooth move inside the left circle to avoid two Jets skaters and bury his effort under the right arm of Jets goalie Thomas Milic before McDavid got a fortunate bounce less than three minutes later to put the Oilers ahead by one after 20 minutes.

During the middle stanza, it was another pair of quick strikes for the Oilers, who doubled their lead on a delayed penalty on Leon Draisaitl's long shot from distance that caught a piece of the post on its way in for the German's first goal of the preseason.

Just 1:43 later, Alex Formenton added Edmonton's fourth on a breakaway started off a long bank pass off the boards in the neutral zone delivered by Evan Bouchard. 

The Oilers would have only one power play on the night and finish 0-for-1, while their penalty kill stopped the Jets on their lone opportunity with the man advantage.

The Jets would add consolation in the final five minutes on a loose puck in the crease for Jacob Julien that was tapped past a sliding Matt Tomkins, only for Colton Dach to get it back late with an empty-netter that made it a 6-2 final.

NEXT UP

The Oilers will continue their preseason schedule on Tuesday when they travel to Winnipeg for a rematch with the Jets, which will stream live on Oilers+ at 6:00 PM.