Oilers Vs. Jets – Game Recap

The Oilers took on the Winnipeg Jets at Rexall Place tonight in a game that featured a number of Oilers veteran players and a few youngsters looking to continue solid camp showings. The Jets entered Rexall with a young unit featuring a number of solid prospects, like Jacob Trouba and Nic Petan.

The Game:

The Oilers were decent from the onset of this hockey game, dominating the play and executing on the forecheck in a way we haven’t seen in a while. Vlad Tkachev set up Mark Fayne with a beautiful pass for the game’s opening goal just 2:44 into the frame. Fayne put the pass home with a beautiful shot top-shelf, it was his first of the pre-season and first in an Oiler uniform.

The Oilers extended the lead just 2:08 into the second period as RNH made an absolutely beautiful pass to Taylor Hall who blasted home the insurance goal for Edmonton. Hall hasn’t found the back of the net a ton during this pre-season, but he’s been really good, so it was nice to see him get rewarded for it.

Winnipeg drew within a goal at the 6:34 mark as Mathieu Perreault scored on a snap shot off of an Adam Lowry feed. The goal came during a stretch where the Jets picked up the urgency and ended up pushing the pace on their end, but Edmonton would quickly calm the waters and regain their two goal lead.

Taylor Hall slid home his second of the night at 9:12 to put Edmonton up 3-1, which would end up being enough. Nuge was credited with the lone assist, his second point of the night.

Viktor Fasth, who made 27 saves on the night, stopped the only two he faced in the third period to preserve the 3-1 win for Edmonton.

The Good:

Taylor Hall was all over the ice tonight, creating chances and converting on them. Hall played 17:55 and had two goals, while taking three total shots. He’s been dynamic all pre-season, and it was great to see him get on the board tonight. He also looked good with his two-way game, which is a great sign. Edmonton needs him to be a complete player this year if they want some success.

Viktor Fasth stopped 27 shots and made some impressive saves to boot. He’s going to enter the year as the number two, but Edmonton will need him to provide solid goaltending to spot the unproven Scrivens. This was a great effort by Viktor, and exactly what Edmonton is going to need throughout the season.

Tkachev looked solid again and added another assist. I think it’s very possible we see him sign a contract soon, he’s certainly done more than enough to earn it, and again he looked good tonight. Bogdan Yakimov did a lot of little things right in this game as well, and set himself up well for another contest later this week against either Arizona or Vancouver.

The Bad:

Nikita Nikitin didn’t look awful tonight, but there were some plays where he simply looked slow. That’s not a great sign considering this is a guy brought in to fill a top-four role. Am I worried about Nikitin? Not at all, but I just wasn’t impressed tonight. Thought Keith Aulie was better tonight, but also thought he wasn’t exactly good. Still, he was improved over his last two showings this pre-season.

Didn’t really notice Kevin Westgarth in a good or bad way tonight. Normally that wouldn’t put him here, but he’s fighting for a contract and didn’t do anything to stick out. I’m pretty sure that won’t be helping his chances to make the roster.

Injury Notes:

Andrew Ference was injured on Sunday night and did not play tonight, but his arm injury isn’t expected to be severe. He was hurt blocking a shot against the Hawks, and it’s likely we see him in a game later this week. Luke Gazdic, recovering from shoulder surgery, is skating with contact again with the team. Doubt he is ready for opening night, but this could have an impact on a potential Kevin Westgarth signing.

The Road Ahead:

Edmonton will practice on Tuesday, and will return to game action on Wednesday when they host the Arizona Coyotes at Rexall Place. Edmonton will complete their back to back set on Thursday night with a date against the Vancouver Canucks at home in a game that will be televised nationally in both the US and in Canada.

I’d also expect a few more cuts in addition to the five we saw on Monday in the near future.