As has often been the case, there was no New Year’s Eve celebration for the Edmonton Oilers.
The Winnipeg Jets beat the Oilers 2-1 at Rogers Place Saturday night. The Oilers all-time record on New Year’s Eve sinks to 3-14-6.
Despite being outshot 9-5 in the first period, the Jets were up 1-0 after one. Neal Pionk beat Jack Campbell with a power play one timer while Cody Ceci was serving a penalty for clearing the puck over the glass.
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In the second, Zach Hyman set up Connor McDavid for a one-timer, but his shot clanked off the post.
The Oilers finally solved Connor Hellebuyck with 15:31 left in the third. Off a face-off in the Jets end, the puck came in front to Kilm Kostin, who promptly popped home his fifth of the season. The Jets regained the lead less than three minutes later when Kyle Connor tipped Pionk’s point shot past Campbell.
With 2:24 to go, Brenden Dillon was slapped with a double minor for high sticking Kailer Yamamoto. However, the Oilers couldn’t find the tying goal as their power play went 0-5 on the night. Kostin suffered an injury to his left leg as time expired and had to be helped off the ice.
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Hellebuyck finished with 31 saves. Campbell made 15 stops.
The Oilers are winless in their last four home games (0-3-1).
Leon Draisaitl missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury.
During the game, the Oilers confirmed they’ll host the 2023 Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium on October 29. It’ll be a Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames. The Oilers hosted the original Heritage Classic in November 2003 against Montreal. They were the road team against Winnipeg in the 2016 Heritage Classic.
The Oilers, 20-16-2, will host Seattle on Tuesday (630 CHED, Face-off Show at 5:30 p.m., game at 7 p.m.).