Undermanned Oilers Outworked A Loaded Canucks Lineup To Stay Perfect In Preseason

Babcock said, "Coming in, obviously we were undermanned and obviously outmatched, but our guys played with determination." He added that when you come in with the lineup they did, and you're not sure what's going to happen, it can go a number of ways. In this case, it was good to get through the opening five minutes, pick up the pace, and eventually the win.

Playing with pace is the Oilers' mantra. They've focused on it in practice and on-ice sessions. It's clear they're starting to work that pace into their games.

In net, Tristan Jarry looked sharp, stopping 25 of 26 shots and moving fluidly in the crease. Despite his poise, he credited the young guys. "I thought the kids played great tonight; they worked their butts off," Jarry said after the win. "Everything we've been going through in practice, they really implemented tonight."