WHAT'S NEXT
The Oilers complete a back-to-back with the Battle of Alberta on Saturday. The game can be seen on Sportsnet and CBC and heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED. Puck drop is 8:08 p.m. MT.
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"That line has played well for us and it's good to see Leon get his game turned back the other way," Head Coach Dave Tippett said. "He's playing really well."
The Oilers cap off a successful month of January with a record of 6-1-2, moving to 27-18-7 on the year heading into tomorrow's Battle of Alberta rematch with both provincial rivals knotted at 60 points and second place in the Pacific Division.
"Every game is huge right now. Standings are tight," Draisaitl continued. "We just have to keep going and keep grinding away."
Draisaitl became the NHL's new offensive leader 5:31 into the opening period with a blistering slap shot from the top of the circle before Caleb Jones let go a wrister from the point 17 seconds later that went through traffic in front for quick 2-0 Oilers lead and the defender's first of the season.
With all the talk in Oil Country of the future arriving after recent call-ups for Tyler Benson and William Lagesson, Kailer Yamamoto providing the screen in front for Jones' tally would be a sign that a part of it is already here.
"We need to keep playing like that every game," Yamamoto said. "If we can keep that up, I think we'll be a good team."
Yamamoto further extended his influence on the second line when the forward chipped a puck to Draisaitl on the blue line before letting Leon work his magic and retake the lead for the Oilers after the Cup champs showed their resilience to level the contest at two just minutes into the final frame.
"We click well," Draisaitl said of his linemates. "Generating some chances, generating chemistry with each other, and both of them have a high hockey IQ. It makes it really easy to play with guys like that."
"It's fun to play right now and hopefully we can keep it going."
