The Edmonton Oilers capped off their season series with the Winnipeg Jets with a 3-1 win Wednesday night.
“Our power play came through with a couple of big goals for us, and it was just kind of a slugfest after that, just trying to find space out there,” head coach Dave Tippett said. “Koski was good. Our special teams — we got a big kill at the end also that helped us. We knew they were going to play hard, they’re a desperate team, and I like the way our guys kind of hung in the game.”
LISTEN BELOW: Dave Tippett
Connor McDavid had three assists, giving him 15 points in the last five games. The Oilers won seven of their nine meetings with the Jets.
Mikko Koskinen, getting his first start in goal since April 7, came up big early. He stoned Paul Stastny who was all alone in front after an Oilers turnover. The Oilers took the lead on a power play when Tyson Barrie blasted a point shot past a screened Connor Hellebuyck.
Blake Wheeler pulled the Jets even early in the second, but then took a double minor for high sticking Ethan Bear. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins cashed in to make it 2-1 Oilers.
“I’ve felt pretty good since being back,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “Being back with Leo and Yamo, we’ve tried to find the chemistry right away and create some scoring chances and get some good looks out there and, at the same time, be solid defensively.”
LISTEN BELOW: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
With less than five minutes left in the third, Kailer Yamamoto was sent off for slashing. The Oilers killed off the penalty without incident with Yamamoto getting a breakaway as he came out of the box. He tried to deke Hellebuyck, who came up with a glove save.
The Jets pulled Hellebuyck with 1:40 to go. Leon Draisaitl put it away with an empty netter.
Koskinen made 29 saves to push his record to 11-11.
“Every day you never know what is going to happen and Smitty has been playing like excellent lately,” Koskinen said. “So I just need to be ready when it’s my turn and that’s my job right now.”
LISTEN BELOW: Mikko Koskinen
The Oilers, 29-16-2, will host the Calgary Flames Thursday night. It’s on 630 CHED with the Face-off Show at 5:30 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.
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