Ryan Shea scored and added 2 assists in his first game as an Oiler, and he did all of it standing next to Evan Bouchard.
That's a 29-year-old coming off a career-high 35 points. His previous career high was five.
One of those numbers is a fluke. Saturday made a decent argument about which one.
My path was a little longer than most, so I don't take anything for granted, he said afterward.
He scored Edmonton's first goal, juking a Jets player and sniping one inside the post 6:52 into the opening period.
I think they were all worried about the other guys on the ice, he said. That's what happens when you're out there with 97 and 29.
He finished at a +4 across 22:31 and put 2 shots on net.
Alex Formenton makes immediate impact in first game with Edmonton Oilers
Bouchard handed out 4 assists and logged 25:09. Nobody in that building came within three minutes of his night.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each scored and added a helper, and both walked out at a +4.
Neither cracked 20 minutes. Mike Babcock has said all week he wants the depth so he doesn't have to lean on those two.
Vasily Podkolzin led all skaters with 6 shots on net without finding the back of it.
Colton Dach and Alex Formenton also scored in the 5-2 win.
Protesters gathered outside Rogers Place before that game over the Formenton signing. None of that goes in a box score.
Isaac Howard had a quiet one. A single shot, a -1, and 13:23 of ice time.
Babcock said he didn't like him as much Saturday, then told everyone not to judge him on it. He figured Howard already knew.
That line with Joshua Samanski and Max Jones was the group Babcock singled out as the one that struggled most.
Tristan Jarry stopped 15 of 16 and took the decision behind all of it.
These two run it back in Winnipeg on Tuesday, which is a quick review for anyone who had a rough night.
So which Shea shows up in October? A late bloomer landing beside a star works like a session musician handed a solo. Sometimes it's the band. Sometimes it's the player.
He gets more nights beside Bouchard to answer that. The 35 points were last year, and nobody in Edmonton hands out benefit of the doubt for long.
Source : A goal and a warm welcome as Alex Formenton shines in Edmonton Oilers debut
Can Ryan Shea hold a top-four spot next to Evan Bouchard all season?
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