Leon Draisaitl had two goals and an assist as the Edmonton Oilers scored a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio Wednesday night.
Oilers goaltender Mike Smith started the attack on a power play halfway through the first. He threw a long pass to Connor McDavid at the Columbus blue-line. McDavid knocked it to Draisaitl, who found James Neal alone in front. Neal slid home his eleventh goal of the season.
Draisaitl rifled in a pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins later in the first just after a power play expired.
After the game, Draisaitl said the first period was a nice change of pace.
“We’ve been trailing a lot this season, and it’s tiring trying to come from behind all the time,” he said.
“It was nice to play with the lead, and we got off to a great start. It was big, big game for us.”
The Oilers kept it going in the second.
Edmonton forward Jujhar Khaira drove the net and scored his first of the season 1:20 in, then Draisaitl finished off a two-on-one with Zack Kassian.
Khaira said it was a relief to see his first goal of the season go in.
“It’s a nice weight off your shoulders for sure,” he said. “I mean, it’s been 14 games and I can tell you one thing, I’ve thought about it every single day.
“It’s one of those things, now that’s something to build off. I mean it’s one game, and we’ve just got to keep going.”
LISTEN: Jujhar Khaira talks after win
Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo was pulled after allowing four goals on 12 shots.
The Blue Jackets got one back with a power-play goal by Zach Werenski. They had a two-man advantage for 1:47 late in the second, but the Oilers were able to kill it off.
Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom said the game highlighted the importance of getting off to a good start.
“First off, I think we’ve got to learn to be ready from the start,” he said. “When we’re ready from the start, we’re a tough team to beat, and especially when we got that first goal.
“I think we played a really good first period,” he added. “We’re a tough team to play against when we get a good start. This is a solid road game, and hopefully we can build off this and get two points in Pittsburgh.”
Khaira scored for the first time since Jan. 16.
With 25 points, Draisaitl takes over the league lead in scoring.
Smith made 23 saves.
LISTEN: Head Coach Dave Tippett reflects on victory
Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said his team made needed adjustments after falling short in Detroit on Tuesday.
“The players talked about it today, they needed a better start than the other day,” he said. “They were ready. I thought we had a real good first period. We’re solid in a lot of areas of the ice.
The Oilers (9-4-1) will play in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
–With files from 630 CHED’s Evan Cooke
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