Edmonton @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 11, 2019 ) NY Rangers 2, Edmonton 3

The Edmonton Oilers are off to their best start in 11 years and will be seeking to win their first five games for the first time since the franchise's dominating run in the 1980s. The Oilers look to keep their perfect run intact when they play the third of a four-game road trip with a visit to the unbeaten New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Edmonton has missed the postseason in 12 of the past 13 seasons, and first-year coach Dave Tippett preached the importance of getting off to a fast start. "I'm really happy with the start," Tippett said. "If you would have said you'd be 4-0 after four, I'm good with that. But it's a process. We've got to continue to get better." Like the Oilers, the Rangers stumbled to a seventh-place finish in their division last season, but were impressive in winning their two games before sitting for the past week. "It's very different," goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said of being idle since last Saturday. "Obviously we play here on Saturday, but then another four days off - I don't think I've ever experienced this."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Edmonton), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE OILERS (4-0-0): After putting together 10 straight seasons with at least 20 goals, James Neal was limited to a paltry seven in 63 games with Calgary in 2018-19, leading to an offseason trade to Edmonton. Neal is the runaway early leader for best addition to a team, already matching last season's total with an NHL-leading seven goals, including five on the power play. Leon Draisaitl scored in regulation Thursday before adding the decisive tally in a 4-3 shootout win at New Jersey and also had four points in two games versus the Rangers in 2018-19.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (2-0-0): While New York is eager to get back on the ice, probably no player was more unhappy with the break than Mika Zibanejad, who was named the NHL's First Star of the Week after posting consecutive four-point games in wins over Ottawa and Winnipeg. The Rangers made a trade while they were idle, sending forward Vladislav Namestnikov to Ottawa to open a lineup spot for Greg McKegg on the fourth line. "He plays with a pace. He's an honest player," coach David Quinn said. "He's had success in this league in that role."

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton has not won five in a row to start a season since 1985-86.

2. Rangers F Artemi Panarin has a goal and an assist in each of the two wins.

3. Oilers captain Connor McDavid had four points in two matchup versus New York last season and has 10 through the first four games.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Oilers 3