Oilers beat Jets 5-2 as newly acquired Shea and Formenton shine in Babcock debut

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 Saturday at Rogers Place in Mike Babcock's first pre-season game as head coach, with both major offseason additions making immediate impacts.

Ryan Shea scored and added two assists in his debut. Alex Formenton scored on a backhand deke to make it 4-1 in the second period, had three breakaways, and was named the game's third star. Evan Bouchard had four assists. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Bouchard, Formenton, and Shea all rated an 8 out of 10.

Formenton had four shots on net, second only to McDavid. He played on the first penalty-killing unit and drew a penalty on a partial breakaway in the third period. Babcock praised the line with Formenton, Mathieu Joseph, and Colton Dach. "Elite penalty killer, he puts pressure on the other team. I thought him and those two were unreal. That was my favourite line tonight, by far," Babcock said.

Formenton's arrival has drawn some local concern—a small protest took place outside Rogers Place before the game—but crowd reaction to his goal was indistinguishable from any other scorer. "There was a small protest outside the building pregame, but as Alex Formenton's name is announced as the goal scorer in Period 2, the crowd cheers no more or less than they have for any other scorer. Not a boo heard," reported Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

Formenton said after: "It was nice to get a goal but it was nice to get the legs moving and get up to pace. I've had laser focus on trying to get better each day." Babcock added that Formenton "will be a difference-maker for us."