Kulak's winner leads Oilers past Flames in 2-1 victory
Fans in Edmonton were celebrating seeing Connor McDavid make it to the final whistle as much as getting a victory on Friday.
Brett Kulak scored the game winner as the veteran-laden Edmonton Oilers earned a 2-1 pre-season win over the rival Calgary Flames. But it was the scare late in the second period that had the entire stadium holding its collective breath.
McDavid collided hard with teammate Evander Kane in the neutral zone and was slow to get up. However, McDavid returned to finish out the frame and the contest.
“I was trying to get out of the way, but those things happen,” Kane said. “It’s the first pre-season game (for us both), but that’s to be expected.
“I knew he was OK. He’s a big, strong guy. He was a little surprised more than anything.”
Oilers goalie Jack Campbell, who stopped 7-of-8 shots in his Edmonton debut, said he was with the fans in holding his breath.
“Your heart stops for sure,” he said. “When anybody on the team goes down it’s always scary. You hope they pop right up and thankfully he did. He’s a tough guy. Kane is a strong guy, too, so it was a pretty big collision.”
Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers (2-2-0), who came off a 4-0 road loss to Calgary on Wednesday.
Dillon Dube put the Flames (3-2) on the board for their lone score on a night where most of their top players sat out.
“It sucks we didn’t get the W, because we played well. The guys did a good job in front of me,” said Flames goalie Dan Vladar, who made 36 saves in the loss. “We were close. We had some really good chances at the end. I could have stopped that second goal. It could have been a different story.”
Edmonton opened the scoring 8:38 into the opening period with a short-handed marker as Kailer Yamamoto stole the puck deep in Calgary's zone and sent a long pass through the crease to give Draisaitl an easy tap-in before Vladar could get across.
Calgary tied the game 15:49 into the first as some sloppy play behind the net led to a point-blank goal from Dube.
Calvin Pickard replaced Campbell just over halfway through the second period and made 14 saves in 28 minutes of action.
Edmonton took the lead 8:55 into the third period as Luke Esposito brought the puck into Calgary's end before sending it to Kulak at the point, where he beat Vladar with a long shot.
The Oilers return to action Saturday to take on the Winnipeg Jets. The Flames next play Monday against the Seattle Kraken at home.
Notes: The Oilers have four pre-season games remaining to Calgary’s three … Edmonton fans got their first ever look at Campbell in an Oilers uniform in net. The former Toronto Maple Leaf starter bolted to Edmonton in free agency this summer, signing a five-year, US$25-million deal after posting a 31-9-6 record with the Leafs last season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.