GAME STORY: Oilers 7, Flames 4

CALGARY, AB -The kids are alright.
Kailer Yamamoto scored two breakaway markers and added one assist, while Tyler Benson and Ryan McLeod each nabbed two helpers to lead Edmonton to a 7-4 victory against the Flames in Calgary on Monday.
Rookie rearguards Ethan Bear and Evan Bouchard maintained the theme by notching a goal apiece, with veterans Patrick Russell and Pontus Aberg helping run Edmonton up to seven.
Mikko Koskinen played the first two periods of the match, stopping 16 of 19 shots. He was replaced by Shane Starrett in the third period, who let one past him in the winning effort.

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"I thought we had real good performances from some young players," Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan said post-game. "We also had some pretty solid performances from some veterans who provided leadership when we needed in the game.
"Overall, a good night."
Things were bound to get heated in the first Battle of Alberta of 2018-19 - pre-season or not.
Four fights and 11 goals ensured that, as the fireworks came early and often in Calgary.
Dillon Dube opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the match, blazing through the Oilers zone and ripping a wrist shot that changed directions on Oilers netminder Koskinen.
The goal came on the first shot of the game but Edmonton responded swiftly, with the rookies leading the way offensively.
Oilers centre McLeod led the breakout from his own zone into the Flames' end while a 4-on-2 developed. The 2018 second-rounder dished the puck over to Benson within Calgary's zone, who gave it to Evan Bouchard on the right wing. Bouchard ripped a snapshot high glove on goaltender David Rittich at 2:50 to knot it up at 1-1.
"I think that's something I worked on in the off-season: getting the quick release off and picking your spot," said Bouchard
Then, it was Yamamoto's turn. While shorthanded, Yamamoto caught a lucky bounce at his own blueline that sprung him on a breakaway. The 2017 first-round selection went roof on Rittich, giving Edmonton a 2-1 lead heading into the middle frame.

The Flames opened up the middle stanza much like they did the first, with Dube notching just 36 seconds in. The Calgary forward banked the puck off Koskinen's back to score, then later completed the hat trick on a breakaway goal.
"We really addressed it between the second and third," said McLellan. "We talked about some of the things that could change in that situation: winning a faceoff, knowing we're going North-South with the puck, creating some energy in their zone in the first minute rather than playing in ours. The players did that."
Then, things got really heated.
After two fights in the first period - between Evan Polei and Scott Sabourin then Brad Malone and Justin Falk - another two broke out in the second. First, Ryan Lomberg and William Lagesson tussled then Logan Shaw and Kevin Gravel exchanged pleasantries late in the period.
"Four fights," said Yamamoto. "It was a fun battle. Those games are always pretty intense. You definitely get up for those games."
Edmonton used the energy to their advantage, as Ethan Bear cranked his first of the pre-season with a point shot, tying it 3-3 to enter the third.
Yamamoto broke the deadlock at 6:07 of the final period, receiving a perfect pass via McLeod from the Oilers goal-line and proceeding to slip a sneaky backhander 5-hole on Rittich.

"Right as I got on the ice, I think we made eye contact and he saw me," said Yamamoto. "It was an unbelievable pass and I'm lucky I got a goal."
The Oilers held onto the lead until late when the floodgates seemingly opened. Russell blasted one with under three minutes remaining then Aberg deposited a goalmouth pass from Joe Gambardella right after.
Russell cemented the victory with an empty-netter, running the tally up to seven.
Andrew Mangiapane's goal with just over one minute remaining wasn't enough, as the Oilers skated away with the win.
"You could really feel the tension out there," said Bouchard of the Battle of Alberta. "It was good to be part of it."
The Oilers will face the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at 8:30 PM MDT.