PREVIEW: Oilers at Jets (Preseason)

The Edmonton Oilers continue their pre-season schedule with a visit to Canada Life Centre on Tuesday night to rematch the Winnipeg Jets in exhibition action.

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PREVIEW: Oilers at Jets (Preseason)

WINNIPEG, MB – Knock 'em down another (Winni)peg.

The Edmonton Oilers will look to replicate Saturday's home success in their pre-season opener – this time on the road – when they rematch the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday in their second of four matches on their exhibition slate of games.

It's the first of two straight road tune-ups this week for the Oilers, who'll continue their preseason in Vancouver on Thursday before wrapping up at home on Saturday against the Flames in advance of their season opener on Sept. 29 versus the Canucks.

"It's a big week here to get organized, to get up to speed, and to understand the way we're trying to play," Connor McDavid said. "It's an important week for us, and then obviously we finish off with a big game on Saturday to close it out. So as a group, we want to be organized, understand the way we want to play, and find our game within."

The last time the Oilers and Jets met on Saturday, Edmonton received multi-point nights from four different skaters in their 5-2 victory, led from their blueline by the D pairing of Ryan Shea (1G, 2A) and Evan Bouchard (4A). Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both had a goal & assist, while Tristan Jarry and Matt Tomkins shared a 19-save performance.

The Oilers dressed a strong lineup on Saturday, and while they should expect the Jets to return the favour tonight, the hosts will be playing the second of a back-to-back, coming off a 3-1 victory over the Avalanche behind  Stuart Skinner's 31-save effort.

Plenty of attention in Winnipeg is being paid to rookie & 2026 first-round pick Viggo Björck, who has been noticeable for the Jets over two pre-season appearances. All of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabe Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Josh Morrissey were all in the lineup for the Jets in their win over the Avalanche on Monday.

Tuesday's Oilers lineup should see a number of veterans get in for the first time this preseason, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman together on a line with Isaac Howard, based on the combinations run during Monday's Training Camp skate.

Fans can expect to get a first look at goalie Devon Levi, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres this offseason, and a potential glimpse of Finnish goalie Eemil Vinni against NHL opposition after his strong play during Oilers Rookie Camp earlier this month.

The playing roster will be made apparent during the team's pre-flight practice at Rogers Place in the morning.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM

McDavid on having Babcock behind the bench for the first time on Saturday:

"I thought it was great. Similar to what you see day to day in practice; detailed and into the game."

McDavid on Babcock's expectations during practice:

"Yeah, obviously the standard's high around here and it's something that I love and support. I want the standard to be at the very highest, and if he didn't like practice, we'll be better tomorrow."

"You gotta be ready at all times. You gotta be paying attention. You miss a little detail here and there, it matters, and that's what it's all about. That's what we asked for. So you gotta be on your toes. I don't think it's that hard to pay attention for a half-hour, 40 minutes, 20 minutes or whatever it is – dial in when you're on the ice."

Nugent-Hopkins on Bouchard becoming a leader on the blueline:

"He's definitely a leader with how he plays out there and how much we rely upon him. Part of him probably still feels like a bit of a younger guy, but you can see the leadership and the vocal qualities coming out. I think he was captain in [OHL] London, so it's not new to him.

"We'll help him along, obviously, but I think this season will be nice for him to have an 'A' and feel that he has some onus on him to step up in that role. I think he'll do a great job.