GAME RECAP: Oilers 5, Jets 2 (Preseason)

EDMONTON, AB – Evan Bouchard led the way with four assists, while Ryan Shea contributed a goal & two helpers in a first-star performance for the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place to open the preseason.

"I thought everything felt pretty good," Ryan Shea said of his pre-season debut. "Me and Bouch obviously didn't spend too much time in the D zone, but I thought our breakouts were great. I thought our gaps were good. When you're in the O-zone with some of those guys, you pretty much just try to get open and they'll find you."

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each had a goal & assist, combining with Vasily Podkolzin as part of an effective Oilers' top line, with forwards Alex Formenton and Colton Dach also getting on the scoresheet in Edmonton's opening preseason victory.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry allowed one goal on 16 shots in nearly two periods of action, before Matt Tomkins took over the crease late in the middle stanza and finished off the victory by making four saves during the final frame plus change.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Jets scored early through Parker Ford less than two minutes into regulation, but the Oilers were up by a pair half a period later, leading 2-1 after the opening frame of preseason off goals from Ryan Shea and Connor McDavid only 2:29 apart.

Shea made a smooth move inside the left circle to avoid two Jets skaters and bury his effort under the right arm of Jets goalie Thomas Milic before McDavid got a fortunate bounce less than three minutes later to put the Oilers ahead by one after 20 minutes.

"I think they were all worried about the other guys on the ice, so a little surprised," Shea said. "That's why I was about to make a pass, but no one came to me. So I think it was the right decision to shoot."

It was a terrific first showing in Blue & Orange for Shea, whose journey to arriving in Edmonton on a five-year deal this offseason as a late-blooming professional had him feeling sentimental after being able to put in the showing he had in his first outing in any capacity as a member of the Oilers.

"I'm proud of myself," he said. "I've been through it a little bit just being older, and obviously my path was a little longer than most, but I don't take any day here for granted. The guys here have been good, and coaches have been great to me the whole time, so there's no reason my confidence should be down right now."

During the middle stanza, it was another pair of quick strikes for the Oilers, who doubled their lead on a delayed penalty when Leon Draisaitl's long shot from distance caught a piece of the post on its way in for the German's first goal of the preseason.

Just 1:43 later, Alex Formenton added Edmonton's fourth on a breakaway started off a long bank pass off the boards in the neutral zone delivered by Evan Bouchard.

"It was nice to get a goal, but it was nice to get the legs moving and get back up to pace. I think it was a good, well-rounded team effort. We had all D going and all four lines, so it was a good start.

The 27-year-old was on a line with Colton Dach and Mathieu Joseph, Formenton had a goal on four shots in 16:47 of ice time in his first NHL regular-season or pre-season game since April 29, 2022. 

The trio are on the fast track to earning the trust of Babcock with performances like tonight, and a few more positive showings at Camp could solidify their place as one of Edmonton's four forward lines that will open the regular season on Sept. 29.

Babcock also picked out Colton Dach as an important player that he'll be watching closely as Training Camp & Preseason progresses, hoping to see the Edmonton product take more steps toward solidifying himself in an energy role down the middle on a checking line for this team.

"Yeah. Pretty good, eh? He can skate a little bit," Babcock said of Formenton. "What a difference-maker he's going to be for us. Elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team, and I thought him, Joe and Dacher were unreal.  

"I was hoping for Dacher big time today. We need him to be a player, and for him to play the way he did in his first exhibition game this year, playing in the middle, I didn't know if I put him in a bad spot doing that to him, to be honest with you. But I was so happy with that line. That was my favorite line tonight by far."

The Oilers would have only one power play on the night and finish 0-for-1, while their penalty kill stopped the Jets on their lone opportunity with the man advantage.

The Jets would add consolation in the final five minutes on a loose puck in the crease for Jacob Julien that was tapped past a sliding Matt Tomkins, only for Colton Dach to get it back late with an empty-netter that made it a 6-2 final.

PARTING WORDS

Babcock on adjustments being made during Training Camp & Preseason:

"Yeah, it's going to take some time. You know, I'm not another coach. I'm just me. I just know what I know. We did a ton of work trying to figure out what works best in the league, whether it's through analytics, video, or whatever. We're trying to introduce that, so there are lots of changes for the players at Camp.  

"If you're a player, it has been almost too detailed. We've got to get up and down the sheet a bit more.  We'll do that on Monday here and get going, but we also have to build a program so everyone knows what we're doing."

Babcock on Ryan Shea's performance and creating more chemistry on the blueline:

"Yeah, but he also has to play really well defensively, as well. We put him with Ekholm to make sure he arrived here and was comfortable. Ekholm will go back there. He's trying to help out [Shakir Mukhamadullin], but Bouch is gonna need more than one partner.

"There are just too many minutes there, so both those guys can play with him. But Murph's a really good player on the back for us too, and we need some help with him. And then Walman as well.  So we've got a number of pieces there, and then we've got to figure out what's after that as well."

Formenton on getting back up to speed in the NHL:

"Pace is a big one, but the small touches and the small details of the D zone and penalty kill and stuff like that... Always nervous on game day, for sure. I was excited to get back out there and use my speed and my strength, so it was exciting."

"My main focus is getting better here, and I want to do everything possible to make the most out of this opportunity."

NEXT UP

The Oilers will continue their preseason schedule on Tuesday when they travel to Winnipeg for a rematch with the Jets, which will stream live on Oilers+ at 6:00 PM.