Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson drops the gloves in a heated fight against the Nashville Predators

Tonight the Edmonton Oilers took the ice for their first game without Connor McDavid since his injury and defenseman Ty Emberson decided to step up with a big fight.

The Edmonton Oilers have been struggling to get a lot of positive momentum so far this season. Up and down play on the ice and several injuries to stars like Connor McDavid and Stuart Skinner have stalled the Oilers season to this point.

Tonight the Oilers had a chance to make a statement against the Nashville Predators to show they can succeed without Connor McDavid in the lineup. Just a few minutes into the game young defenseman Ty Emberson was looking to set the tone for the night. Ty Emberson decided to do so with a fight against a Nashville Predators power forward Cole Smith. In the fight Emberson was outmatched in size by the 6'3 Smith but held his own as the two let punches fly.

The fight would go on to set the tone for the early part of the game with the Edmonton Oilers coming out flying trying to prove that despite doubts from many they are still an elite team. In the first period, the Oilers showed exactly what they are still capable of.

Oilers get out to an early lead against the Predators

After the fight things seemed to begin to click for the Edmonton Oilers. A few minutes after the fight from Ty Emberson the Oilers would score their first goal of the night and take the lead. The new top line would take over with Viktor Arvidsson scoring a goal assisted by Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin.

While the Nashville Predators would tie things up on a goal from Filip Forsberg the Edmonton Oilers would continue to battle. Later in the game the Edmonton Oilers' depth players would get involved. Corey Perry would finally get a goal assisted by both call-ups from the AHL Drake Caggiula and Noah Philp.

Through one period the Edmonton Oilers seem to be firing on all cylinders and that could be thanks to the big adrenaline boost received from the early fight from Ty Emberson. As the night goes on it will be fun to see who else steps up.

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