Oilers Head to Winnipeg for Preseason Rematch With Jets
Edmonton visits Canada Life Centre on Tuesday, three days after beating Winnipeg 5-2 in its exhibition opener.
The Oilers are back in Winnipeg on Tuesday night, taking on the Jets at Canada Life Centre in the second of four preseason games on their exhibition schedule.
Edmonton won the first meeting 5-2 at home on Saturday, with four skaters posting multi-point nights. Ryan Shea had a goal and two assists, Evan Bouchard added four assists, and Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each finished with a goal and an assist. Tristan Jarry and Matt Tomkins split 19 saves.
Winnipeg plays the second half of a back-to-back after a 3-1 win over Colorado on Monday, a game that featured Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Josh Morrissey. Rookie Viggo Bjorck, the Jets' 2026 first-round pick, has drawn attention through two preseason appearances.
Several Edmonton veterans are expected to make their preseason debuts, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman skating alongside Isaac Howard during Monday's camp practice. Goaltender Devon Levi, acquired from Buffalo this offseason, is also in line for a first look, as is Finnish prospect Eemil Vinni.
McDavid framed the week as the important one before the games start counting.
"It's a big week here to get organized, to get up to speed, and to understand the way we're trying to play," he said. "It's an important week for us, and then obviously we finish off with a big game on Saturday to close it out."
He was also asked about Mike Babcock running the bench for the first time on Saturday. "I thought it was great," McDavid said. "Similar to what you see day to day in practice; detailed and into the game. Obviously the standard's high around here and it's something that I love and support."
The Oilers continue in Vancouver on Thursday and close the preseason at home against Calgary on Saturday before opening the regular season against the Canucks on Sept. 29. Tuesday's puck drop is 6:00 p.m. MT.
