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The Edmonton Oilers iced a superior team for the latest “Battle of Alberta” on Wednesday night.

And while Calgary battled gamely over the first 20 minutes, Edmonton pulled away to stay in the 2^nd, ultimately out-shooting the Flames 43-20 and out-scoring them 7-2.

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Here’s the tale of the tape.

Edmonton Oilers Player Notes

STUART SKINNER. Stopped 18 of 20. Only 3 of those attempts came in the final 30 minutes. One goal against he had no chance on. The other, a long-distance flier off the stick of Zadorov, was mostly on Skinner.

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CONNOR McDAVID. A goal and 3 assists, named the game’s 2^nd Star. His goal was a patented flick high over the goaltender’s shoulder. Stripped a puck and fed it to Connor Brown who did not miss on a one-timer. Yet another strip along the wall found it’s way across to Brown again for the 5-2. Fed Kane for the 6-2. Just another day at the office, right?

EVANDER KANE. A goal and a help on a lovely breakaway feed to Pederson. Drained a feed from McDavid for the 6-2. Solid.

CONNOR BROWN. A 2-goal game and the game’s 1^st Star. His first was a pass from McDavid that was on-and-off Brown’s stick in a split second. Then, more or less did it again with the same result on the 5-2. Rang iron in a 3^rd Period bid to complete the hat trick. A goal and 3 assists. Looked close to 100% health.

DARNELL NURSE. A high-event game early but settled in. Sharp stick in the D-zone early. I felt he and Bouchard were too passive on the 2-1. Then, he tossed an errant pass up the wall that eventually turned into the 2-2. Sharp keep at the blueline led to the Draisaitl goal. Smart play broke up an off-man rush in the 3^rd. 2 Assists.

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EVAN BOUCHARD. As mentioned above, this pairing looked uneven early, but things evened out as the night wore on. Backed in a bit on the 2-1. Then, lost a key puck battle behind the goal line on the 2-2. But finished up with (to my count) 6 shots and 2 assists on the evening and looked confident with the puck.

LEON DRAISAITL. Looked the most engaged as I have seen him all pre-season. His goal was a hard wrist shot from the very top of the circle. A hard forecheck led to the 6-2. Added an assist. 6 shots.

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS. A relatively quiet night. Some quality PK shifts with Brown.

ZACH HYMAN. Hustled to beat out an icing call in the 2^nd. A couple shots.

PHILIP BROBERG. A very quiet evening. Did not really stand out in a good way or a bad way.

CODY CECI. Solid performance. Broke up a 2-on-1 in the 3^rd. As consistent as I have seem him all pre-season.

LANE PEDERSON. An important performance for a guy trying to make about the only slot left available. Scored a nice goal stick-side on a breakaway off a pass from Kane. Also picked up one assist, could easily have had another on a feed hat send Holloway in alone. A dangerous 1^st Period wrap-around. Surely did not hurt his chances.

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DYLAN HOLLOWAY. Looked solid on the PK and contributed a 1^st Period zone clear. Broke in all alone on a nice feed from Pederson. Sweet feed in front for Lavoie’s one-timer after winning a race to the puck.

WARREN FOEGELE. Drew a couple penalties. On the PK. Worked hard.

BEN GLEASON. Saved a goal with a diving play in the crease to knock down a puck.

PHIL KEMP. A quiet, controlled, efficient game with Gleason on the 3rd pairing.

MATTIAS JANMARK. Plated the entire game at 4C and was noticeably quick. Excellent back-check in the neutral zone in the 3^rd. Heavy hit.

ADAM ERNE. Good stick on a 1^st Period PK. Industrious effort but one wonders if he isn’t in tough to crack this roster.

RAPHAEL LAVOIE. His best pre-season effort, once that may have earned him a roster spot. The evening started out with a failed clear along the wall in his own zone, leading to a 30-second Flames shift deep in Oilers territory. But it was all up from there. Good 2^nd Period defensive play deep in his own zone. Drew a power play when his stick was hacked into toothpicks net-side. Won a puck battle then fought through a forest of sticks for a shot on net. Then finished the night by depositing a Holloway pass home from the slot for the 7-2. This game’s 3rd Star.

A classy tribute to the late Chris Snow pre-game at Rogers Place was also of note on this evening.

Next up, the Kraken Friday to close out the pre-season.

Now on Threads @kleavins. Also, find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at [email protected]

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