EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the equalizer late in the game and the Edmonton Oilers went on to down Pittsburgh 2-1 in a shootout.
Trailing 1-0 for much of the game, the Oilers forced an extra frame when Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick of the 2011 NHL draft, found the net with 5 minutes left for his first career goal in his major league debut.
Following a scoreless overtime, Jordan Eberle and Ales Hemsky tallied in the shootout and the Oilers came away with a dramatic victory in their season opener.
Devan Dubnyk stopped 33-of-34 shots en route to the victory.
Kris Letang scored in the first period for the Penguins, who dropped their first game of the season after wins in Vancouver and Calgary.
Brent Johnson turned aside 34-of-35 Oilers shots.
