I think it is fair to say that it was well worth the wait. The familiarity of watching the Oilers with excitement and nervousness (with just a dash of rage) returned immediately as the puck was dropped at centre ice.
The only thing that matters... the Oilers won the first game of the season and have 2 points in the bank! Final score: 3-2 Edmonton.
THE GREAT - Let's start with the best player on the ice for either team tonight; Leon Draisaitl was an absolute monster all night, going 1-2-3 on the night, including scoring the first goal of the game. Draisaitl seemed to be on a one man mission tonight to prove he is an elite player, with or without McDavid. I would say he succeeded. - As I wrote in the pre-game blog, RNH and Draisaitl have not played much together at even strength but that duo played with each other like they had for years. The two players knew where each other were all game and connected on a number of chances. - Zack Kassian may have had his best game in Oilers silks as well as he was both a physical and offensive force. It was a long time ago but when Kassian was first drafted, this is the kind of player people expected him to be. A great start to build off of. - Mike Smith did not allow the first shot on net and bailed the team out on multiple occasions through the 2nd and 3rd periods when the Canucks took control. Smith more than earned the next start as well. - Ethan Bear had played in NHL games in the past but this was his first opening night game. The right shot blueliner had steel in his veins and was a calming presence with Oscar Klefbom all night. - The Oilers penalty kill was aggressive and did not allow a single goal on the night, despite taking 4 penalties. - Connor McDavid almost landed in the second category, but scoring the GWG earns you a Great spot. - If this James Neal shows up for the entire season, the Oilers will win that trade by a landslide. Neal was a positive force on puck possession and in addition to a few solid scoring chances, dished the puck out too. Neal even played a physical game and thew his body around a bit too.
THE OKAY - Nygard had a few good looks throughout the game but he still played a very perimeter game. Let's chalk it up to first game nerves and leave it at that. - Khaira played a fine game, making himself noticed most on the PK where he and Nugent almost connected for a scoring chance. In the role that Tippett has for him, this was a textbook night for Jujhar. - Benning played better than he had throughout all of pre-season. It wasn't an overly impressive game, but certainly established himself as a player tonight and not just a warm body. - McDavid's game winning goal was a thing of beauty, but the captain did not have himself a strong game other than that play. His linemates weren't as great as they have been in the past but 97 himself made a number of gaffs as well. It's nothing to panic about yet but it was not the play we have come to expect from him.
THE WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT
- The Nurse and Larsson pairing was horrendous together. They were the cause of a number of long segments of time spent in the Oilers zone and the cause of a number of turnovers, like the J.T. Miller breakaway that almost ended up in the back of the net. Not a good showing by either player. - Archibald had plenty of love from me through the pre-season but his inability to move the puck out of the Oilers defensive zone directly resulted in one goal against for Edmonton. He showed some speed in the neutral zone but he needs to be head and shoulders better in his own end. - Alex Chiasson had a close look on the PP but aside from that, the winger was another culprit of failing to move the puck out of his own end, as well as coughing it up directly to the opposition.
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All in all it was a fine showing by the Oilers in their first game. Some issues and mistakes that can mostly be chalked up to learning new systems and first game jitters but certainly plenty to build off of, and most importantly, walking away with the 2 points. The Oilers next will face off against the LA Kings on Saturday.