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Instant Reaction: Oilers defeat Flames 4-1 to finish NHL preseason with a perfect record
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Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cynthia Ryley Delaney
Sep 27, 2026, 00:22 EDTUpdated: Sep 27, 2026, 00:29 EDT
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How does a 4-0-0 preseason sound?
On Saturday, the Edmonton Oilers played their fourth and final tune-up game before the real thing, defeating the Calgary Flames by a score of 4-1. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one!
It took over 16 minutes for the game to get its first goal. On a power play with about three minutes to play in the opening frame, Connor McDavid received the puck near the point and drove down low. At the same time, Zach Hyman bumped Yan Kuznetsov, giving him all the space in the world when McDavid decided to pass. As he’s done since joining the Oilers, Hyman tapped it in to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead.
Eight minutes into the second period, the Oilers struck again. The Flames’ defender flubbed a keep in attempt, sending the Oilers on an odd-man rush the other way. Vasily Podkolzin found the trailer, Leon Draisaitl, who found McDavid all alone on the side of the goal to make it 2-0.
With about six and a half to play in the middle frame, the Oilers broke into the zone, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins found the trailing Kasperi Kapanen. There was no pass available, so the Finn took it around the net and found Ryan Shea at the point. For the second time in preseason, Shea was able to beat a goalie, giving the Oilers a 3-0 lead.
The Oilers ran into some penalty trouble midway through the final frame, leading to the Flames first goal of the game. However, less than two minutes later, the Oilers got it back as Nugent-Hopkins delivered a perfect outlet pass to Kapanen, who was just barely able to squeak it past Dustin Wolf for the 4-1 lead.

Takeaways…

Loading up the top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl doesn’t work long term, especially without a true second-line centre. That said, their line was dominant, generating a whole bunch of high-danger chances and out-shooting the Flames heavily while on the ice during five-on-five. When Matthew Savoie returns, they have to be split up, though.
One line that doesn’t need to be split up is the Oilers’ first power play unit. After finishing with the best power play in 2025-26, the unit of McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard scored the game’s opening goal on their lone power play.
It’s nice to have a netminder who can make a breakaway save, and Devon Levi did just that on Saturday. He faced 23 of 24 shots for a .958 save percentage. Let’s hope for the Oilers’ sake that they finally found an above-average netminder.
Trent Frederic didn’t get involved in the scoring, but he was in the midst of several scrums. When he’s at his best, Frederic is getting under the skin of the opponent. He didn’t do much of that last season.
Kasperi Kapanen had a whale of a game, scoring a goal and picking up an assist. On the assist, he showed a ton of poise to find the right pass, on the goal, he showed his quick feet. If he ever figures out consistency, he’s going to be vital to the Oilers’ middle-six. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a solid game too, picking up two assists.
Ryan Shea has been impressive in the two games he played. After walking the Winnipeg Jets’ defence in the preseason opener, he managed to score his second of the preseason in his second game. It’s already looking to be a savvy pickup.
Isaac Howard had another quiet game in 12:39 of ice time, not ideal for a player looking to earn a spot out of preseason. It’s not like he didn’t have a chance either, as he started the game alongside Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins. Not a great look.
The real thing begins on Tuesday for the Oilers, as they host the Vancouver Canucks in the series opener. That game has an 8:00 PM MT start time.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFOEdmonton, DFOCalgary, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on X at @CynthiaRDelaney.
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