GAME RECAP: Flyers 5, Oilers 3

EDMONTON, AB - And so their streak has ended.
The Edmonton Oilers had their season-opening five-game win streak snapped on Wednesday at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, who clawed out a 5-3 victory thanks to a pair of goals from Cam Atkinson.
Zach Hyman continued his confident scoring streak, notching his sixth goal in six games with the lone tally of the second period after both teams combined for five goals in the opening frame. Connor McDavid factored in with a goal and assist, while Tyson Barrie notched his first goal of the season with a dazzling back-hand effort midway through the opening frame that went along with an assist on the night.

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FIRST BLOOD

Philadelphia kicked off a first period that featured five goals when Travis Konecny's effort from the slot missed wide left, but Claude Giroux was there to collect the puck with speed and beat Koskinen and the stick of Cody Ceci to the far post with a wrap-around 7:22 into the game.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Barrie showcased a sweet set of hands to bury his first goal of the season just 35 seconds after the Flyers took a two-goal lead. Midway through the opening frame, last season's leading scorer among defencemen received a pass from Leon Draisaitl on the half-wall and weaved his way through the o-zone. Barrie finished the play emphatically, roofing a backhand into the far top corner past Flyers keeper Carter Hart.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Koskinen utilized all of his 6-foot-7 frame by sprawling out and getting his glove to Scott Laughton's uncontested chance in front with eight minutes left in the third after the puck was turned over off McDavid's skate in the defensive zone.

TURNING POINT

The Flyers jetted up the ice in transition, working a give-and-go passing play between Atkinson and Derick Brassard before Atkinson quickly let fly a quick half-clapper along the ice that slid five-hole under Koskinen for the game-winner 4:18 into the final frame.

TOP PERFORMER

Atkinson had the game's two decisive actions on the night. Before notching the game-winner with his quick clapper in the third, the Flyers forward showed great skill to bat a loose puck under Koskinen's arm with 0.6 seconds on the clock in the first period to send Philadelphia into the intermission with a 3-2 lead.

PARTING WORDS

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a high-offence contest and the number of chances the Oilers generated:
"I think we had enough chances, especially in the second period... the second period might've been one of our best periods that we've played so far this year, so we definitely had enough chances. The bottom line is that they got that extra one, and like Nursey said, that's just the way things go in this league. I thought we worked hard and kept pushing at the end, but unfortunately, we couldn't get it."

Darnell Nurse on if the team ran out of gas after the first two periods:
"I don't know if we ran out of gas. It was a good game. Both teams were pushing, and I thought we had a fair amount in the third, too. We've got to capitalize and find a way to get a hold of that game, but we didn't. We've got to learn from that."
Nugent-Hopkins on the power play generating chances and going 1-for-4 on the night:
"The one that we got was a good bounce for us, but the other power plays had some good looks working it around the zone really well and getting shots from up top. Obviously you want to score every time you get out there, and it can be a little disappointing not to, but at hte same time we got one, made some good plays, and had a lot of chances. We've got to find that extra one."
McDavid on the team's overall game in a losing effort:
"Overall, I liked parts of our game. I thought we had our looks. Maybe we could've defended a little better I guess, but it's hockey and they're going to get chances. I thought we did a pretty good job, but obviously, not enough to win."

Barrie on the Oilers taking a loss despite an overall positive performance:
"There are probably games we played that we maybe didn't deserve to win, or the goaltending was spectacular and we got (a win), but tonight I thought we played well. There were a couple we would've liked to have back. It's would've been nice to be 6-0 to start the year, but you can't win them all. Just get back at it tomorrow."
Head Coach Dave Tippett on the team's effort and his evaluation of the game:
"That could be some of the best hockey we've played all season right there. Our second period was our best period of the year. A couple of mistakes and a couple of bad bounces, and we're chasing the game a little bit once they got a lead in the third period. They shut it down pretty good, but it was a really competitive game. I liked the way our guys competed. We played fast, created a lot of chances, but we didn't capitalize on enough of them."