Manning makes most of chance

Brandon Manning’s first Edmonton Oilers goal came on an assist from Connor Mcdavid.

His second? Same story.

You’re probably saying “sweet irony” after their history when Manning was in Philadelphia, before Oilers traded Drake Caggiula to Chicago to get the defenceman, even if that Mcdavid feud has long been buried.

Manning was sprung from the press box Wednesday to play his first Oilers game since last Feb. 9, taking Joel Persson’s spot on the blue line when the Swedish rookie was ruled out and put on concussion protocol after taking a wallop from Chicago’s Andrew Shaw on Monday night.

And, of course, Manning scored against the Flyers, ripping one past Brian Elliott.

“It was pretty nice (to score),” said Manning, who made the club as the seventh D out of camp after being sent to Bakersfield in mid-february and not playing for the Condors in the playoffs last spring.

“In the summer you realize why you train and why you love the game — and to be out there against Philly, where I have a lot of good friends and to score and contribute, was definitely special.”

Mcdavid set him up against Carolina last January, and again against the Flyers.

“After the incident (Philly and Oilers) you don’t think about that kind of stuff. My first one last season was obviously from him, too. It’s pretty easy. You get open and he’ll make plays. Lucky for me I was able to cash in,” said Manning, who played 11:23 against the Flyers.

“The way things went last year was disheartening, but to come in here, get the opportunity to stick around … you appreciate it.

Oilers coach Dave Tippett likes having Manning around.

“A great teammate who’s accepted his role and works hard. They understand that. Good veteran player who knows the league and when he scored against his old team, the players here were really happy for him,” he said.

ON SECOND THOUGHT:

Tippett wasn’t a happy camper immediately after the 6-3 win over the Flyers, feeling it was a good “learning tool” for his players who were sloppy with the puck and hung their goalie Mikko Koskinen out to dry, forcing him to make 49 stops.

Some bad habits are creeping in, even if the Oilers are 6-1.

He watched the tape of the game, and was still a little bummed.

“You get the emotional side, the reality side. I was still a little emotional after watching it again, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said.