Did Isaac Howard Answer Mike Babcock's Question?

Sometimes a young player doesn't need to score three goals to get your attention. One goal and one assist will do. That's what Isaac Howard gave the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night in Vancouver. He scored once, added an assist, fired seven shots at the Canucks net and finished plus-2 as the Oilers beat Vancouver 2-1 in preseason action.

But here's what caught my attention. It wasn't just the goal. It was more.

Howard Needed a Night Like This.

Howard came into Thursday's game with something to prove. The 22-year-old had been quiet in his first two preseason games, and Mike Babcock had been pretty clear about what he wanted to see. Howard can skate. He can shoot. Everybody knows he has offensive talent.

But Babcock wanted him to learn how to get the puck back. That's an important “skill.” You can be a very talented offensive player and still make life difficult for yourself if you're waiting for somebody else to win the puck for you.

On Thursday, Howard looked much more involved. He opened the scoring 3:58 into the game with a nice shot from the right circle. Then he helped set up Edmonton’s second goal by winning a puck battle and getting involved in the play that ended with Quinn Hutson putting the puck in the net.

That's the part I liked. He wasn't just waiting for the puck to find him. He went looking for it.

The Game Wasn't Exactly a Soft Test for Howard and the Oilers.

And there's another reason this game matters. Edmonton dressed what was essentially an American Hockey League-heavy lineup. Vancouver, on the other hand, had a lineup loaded with established NHL players. The Oilers still won 2-1.

So this wasn't Howard putting up numbers against a bunch of kids trying to make the other team. He was doing it against a much more experienced opponent. Obviously that's preseason. Nobody should start handing out awards because a player had one good September night.

But Howard is trying to win a job in Edmonton, and the opportunity is sitting right there. Matt Savoie is recovering from an injury. That has opened a door on the Oilers' top six, and Howard has said he believes he can take advantage of it.

Now he's got to convince Babcock. Thursday was a pretty good start.

The Goal and the Assist Should Get the Coach’s Attention.

The seven shots are nice, and scoring matters. But the more important number might be zero. That's how many reasons Howard gave Edmonton to send him back to Bakersfield after a night like this.