Oilers top Jets, 2-1

In Edmonton, Connor McDavid scored less than a minute after the Winnipeg Jets had taken a 1-0 lead late in the third period on Thursday night.

That goal forced the game into overtime and then into the skills competition before the Oilers grabbed a 2-1 decision.

“He’s a pretty special player,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “You could put him in with a handful of guys in the League that are dominant like that. I was fortunate to play a year with Mario Lemieux (1992-93) and saw some things like that out of him. But he’s a special player, he can make something out of nothing.

“The thing that makes it unbelievable is the timing that he does it. Two of those highlight goals this year are ultimately important goals. That’s just what he does.”

Stuart Skinner made 46 saves for the Edmonton win.

“It was an exciting game,” Skinner said. “It was a hard-fought battle all night between both teams. It was a hard-fought win. It was huge getting [McDavid’s] goal to tie it up, and then the kill in overtime really got us the momentum going into the shootout and we were able to capitalize. It was huge that we got the win.”

The Oilers improved to 12-4–0.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored to give the Jets the 1-0 lead.

“It was a good game, it was a [heck] of a game,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “It had all the right elements for hockey. It had a little bit of physicality and it had lots of skill and lots of smart, hard play. It was a heck of a game. I really enjoyed that one.”

The dropped to 9-3–4.

“We didn’t give them too much throughout most of that game … we liked a lot of our game,” Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor said. “I think we could have buried a couple more chances. Their goalie played well and I think [Hellebuyck] played well, too. I think it was a really good game; it was back and forth. I think if we keep playing that game, nine times out of 10, we win, so we’re happy with that.”

Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves in the Jets loss.

“I thought both teams were really good,” Hellebuyck said. “I don’t think it was just a goaltender battle. I think every person on both teams was playing well. It almost had that playoff vibe to it, and it was a grinder, two good teams going at it.”