Oilers move back into playoff position with win over Lightning

EDMONTON — It was the kind of confidence boost the Edmonton Oilers desperately needed.

Connor McDavid had a pair of goals and Mikko Koskinen made 31 saves to improve to 8-1-2 in his last 11 starts as the Oilers moved back into a playoff position with a 4-1 victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

“Tonight was a total team win, contributions up and down the lineup,” said Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft. “In the two games as a whole against Tampa we gave up 55 shots against the Stanley Cup champions. We did a good job defensively in both games."

Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto also scored and added an assist apiece for the Oilers (32-23-4), who have won two in a row and moved into third place in the Pacific Division. Tyson Barrie chipped in with two helpers.

“I think we had an all-around effort,” Draisaitl said. “The PK was really good. I think our power play could have been sharper, but we did score a big goal to make it 2-0 at the end of the second there. You have to find the right time to score sometimes too. We did that and, five-on-five, I thought we were really solid.

“I think we are finding our gear here a little bit and taking steps in the right direction.”

The Oilers improved to 18-0 when scoring first this season.

“I’m not sure what it is. I think we just find a comfort level in our game,” McDavid said. “Obviously the start is important. We haven’t found a way to get the first goal too many times, so when we do we have to bear down and find a way to get a win.”

Zach Bogosian responded for the Lightning (37-15-6) who have lost three in a row for the first time this season. Brian Elliott stopped 45-of-48 shots.

“When things aren’t going well for you, you invent