from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Here in cautious Northern Alberta -- where folks have been burned numerous times by buying into a rebuild that would show some promise, then quickly go up in smoke -- they’re not real sure about how much credit they should give their Oilers right now.

“We’re seven games in,” cautioned the NHL’s leading scorer Connor McDavid, after another two-point night. “We’re 6-1 and that’s a good start, but that’s all it is.”

Really? Is that really all it is?

Down the hall in a Washington dressing room where the Capitals suffered their second straight regulation defeat — something that did not happen in the entire 2015-16 season — they saw a little more than that from Edmonton.

“Their structure is what’s really noticeable,” said Caps defenceman Karl Alzner. “They’re playing more aggressive. They’re playing rushes earlier and smarter. They’re battling really, really hard.

“The new building and everything, the team’s feeling good. You can see that with the urgency in their game.”

Goalie Cam Talbot, whose save percentage jumps to .927, made 34 saves and was beaten only by Ovechkin on a rebound. He’s giving Edmonton lights-out goaltending, the caliber of which this team has not received in a decade.

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The game highlight package is not available at this point, but you can watch post-game interviews below after the 4-1 win by the Oilers over the Capitals.