The Edmonton Oilers played their first preseason game of the year, and wrapped up an overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets at home.
26 year old defenceman Cam Dineen made a great play on a 2 on 1 rush in overtime to cut to the middle and bury the game winning goal. However, many fans have been noting that the goal wouldn't have happened with a great play from new Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin. In the defensive zone, Podkolzin laid a hard hit to separate a Jets player from the puck, which prompted the whole rush up the ice.
It's a fantastic and gritty play from Podkolzin, and exactly the kind of play the Oilers were hoping to see from him. The Oilers acquired him for just a fourth round draft pick from the Canucks because he's scored only 4 goals in the last two seasons. If he can keep up this physical play and add some goals too, some Oilers analysts think he could be the next Klim Kostin.
Podkolzin was a big standout in the Oilers first game, but he wasn't the only one. Recent first round draft pick Sam O'Reilly scored with a quick release on a breakaway shot, and played a mature 200 foot game all night long. Raphael Lavoie got a few decent looks, and was able to wire one rocket of a shot into the net on the powerplay. Lavoie has a shot to make the team now at 23 years old, and if he can scoring like this, he'll surely get an opportunity.
Oilers prospect Noah Philp was also a standout player for many analysts. Philp is just 26 years old and coming out of retirement, and impressed with his faceoff skills and explosive skating.
The first preseason showing for the Oilers went really well considering it was essentially a prospect showcase. At least the young guys walked away with a win, some big name prospects made an impression, and more Oilers hockey is on the horizon!
