Edmonton Goes 2-0 vs Vancouver: Oilers and Elks Both Pick Up Wins

It was a good night to be a fan of Edmonton's professional sports teams.

Devon Levi was back in the net, Zach Hyman returned, and the Edmonton Oilers went to work picking up a win on the same night the Edmonton Elks secured their ticket to the Grey Cup with a win over the BC Lions. 

The Oilers are now 12-3-3 on the season and remain at the top of the Pacific Division. 

Connor McDavid had another three assists (47 points in 18 games), to put him on pace for 219 points. Leon Draisaitl had two goals, while Jason Dickinson and Mattias Ekholm picked up a couple to add some depth scoring. 

Head coach Mike Babcock called it a big night for Dickinson, who he believes is finding his game. "I've told him a bunch of times, he's not in a slump. He's been injured, you got to get in shape.... Be kind to your self. The game beats you up, you don't need to beat yourself up. That makes no sense... I thought tonight he had to feel way better, not just because he scored, because he was involved physically, he was heavy on his stick, he seemed to be able to skate better..."

It was all around solid performance (outside of few minutes of the second period) for the Oilers, even if the Canucks hung in longer than most might have expected. "This is what I expected tonight," said Babcock. "They lost 6-1 the other night, I knew Manny would have them ready.... I'd like to beat them 6-0, but in reality, this was way better for us, and it was way better that they pushed back and we had to stick to doing it right."

Levi made 20 saves in his return to the crease. He's made a case to be the starter this season, playing well before he missed seven games with an injury. Another solid performance seems to have cemented his role as the starter, which is a fascinating pivot given he entered camp as the team's third-string goaltender. 

"It's so good to be back. I've been thinking about it for the past two weeks," Levi told Gene Principe.  Babcock says it's great to see that he always has a smile on his face. He works hard and its infectous. 

He looks comfortable and always in position. There to make the save, the goals scored on him weren't on him. Tristan Jarry has also played better than expected with Levi out, so Edmonton has to feel pretty good about their goaltending position of late. 

The one down in the game was the fact that Ryan Nugen-Hopkins took a puck to the face early in the second period and missed the remainder of the game. It doesn't sound like Nuge will be out long, given that he tried to return in the third period but the Oilers decided to keep him out. 

"At first you're worried about a broken jaw," but it doesn't sound like that is going to be a concern. 

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