WHAT'S NEXT
The Oilers continue their two-game road trip with a date against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. The game can be seen on Sportsnet 360 and heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED. Puck drop is 4:08 p.m. MDT.
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"It was a really strong effort," said Draisaitl. "We played for 60 minutes. Obviously late they pulled their goalie and pushed a little but even that we handed really well."
After blanking the Oilers with a 31-save performance a week ago, Edmonton finally cracked goaltender Juuse Saros on the road.
The Orange & Blue stormed out the gate versus the Preds, registering the first two shots on goal within the opening minute and maintaining that pressure throughout the first period.
"I really liked our start," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan. "We haven't got that in a long time in this building, we're usually chasing the game."
Drake Caggiula reaped the rewards of Edmonton's dogged pursuit, kicking a rebound up to his stick and slamming it past the Finnish netminder at 11:41 of the opening stanza.
"It was just a matter of time before I got one there," said Caggiula. "It was a bit of a greasy one."
At the other side of the rink, Edmonton's own Finnish goalkeeper, Koskinen - getting his first start with the club - was sound in the opening period. Koskinen made noteworthy stops on Viktor Arvidsson's breakaway attempt then again on the forward's goalmouth deflection while on the power play. The netminder ended the first with seven saves.
"I waited for a long time," said Koskinen of his Oilers debut, "but it was good because I got a lot of time to prepare. It was nice to start with the win."
Caggiula gave praise to his club's backup netminder.
"He's a great goalie, he's big and he makes some acrobatic saves," he said. "Any time you get a big save from the goalie, it goes a long way."
Edmonton didn't lag in the second, jumping out hard once again. The visitors applied pressure, getting a prime Ryan Nugent-Hopkins one-timer shortly after puck-drop to begin the period.
The Oilers elongated pressure caused Nick Bonino to take a holding penalty, and the club made good on the opportunity.
McDavid sent the puck to Milan Lucic down low, who found Draisaitl at the front of the net. The Deutschland Dangler went far side on Saros, giving the Oilers a 2-0 lead.