WHAT'S NEXT
Edmonton heads to Winnipeg on Sunday for another match against the Jets. The game can be seen on EdmontonOilers.com and heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED. Puck drop is 6:08 p.m. MDT.
POST-GAME UPDATES
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"I wish it was the regular season and those points counted but it's still a nice win and confidence booster," said Rattie, the Oilers leading point-producer of the night despite playing only 10:08 - none on the power play.
With questions surrounding the Oilers top trio as to whether they could maintain the chemistry they formed last season, many were answered following the squad's victory.
"He knows offence," said McDavid of Rattie. "He understands it. He can shoot the puck. It's on and off his tape pretty quick. That's stuff you can't really teach, that killer instinct around the net."
Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan was asked about his first unit post-game.
"They had a hell of a night," the Oilers coach said. "We'd like to keep them together, we think they're a good combination."
McLellan mentioned the squad the Jets iced on Thursday will be much different from the team they will face on Sunday when the clubs meet again.
"We'll have our hands full but you have to take advantage of those situations," he said. "Ty Rattie, Nuge and Connor took advantage of it tonight."
Puljujarvi got the party started for the Oilers, lighting the lamp on a breakaway marker while on the man-advantage. The 20-year-old called for the puck from Ethan Bear within the D-zone, then turned up ice to lead the breakout. Puljujarvi zoomed through the neutral zone then split the defencemen for a breakaway, going backhand on netminder Eric Comrie to open the scoring.
"I'm trying to keep going right now," Puljujarvi said post-game of the momentum he's gained in his past two matches.
Edmonton's top line made it 2-0 just over two minutes into the middle stanza. McDavid caused a turnover in the offensive zone, then dished the puck to RNH for a one-timer Comrie couldn't handle.
"It was nice to find the chemistry again early," said Nugent-Hopkins. "It's good that we could connect tonight."
But the Jets eventually took flight, netting a pair of quick-fire strikes to make it a new game.