It wasn't as if the Edmonton Oilers finally mustered up the courage to take down the vaunted Arizona Coyotes in regulation for the first time in 26 attempts. But they didn't put an end to the dubious skid with the speed, flash, and dash that we've come to expect.

They bullied their way to two points Wednesday night.

The fourth line scored twice, and its pivot, Mark Letestu, helped create a third on a power play, before the unit made a statement late in the game when a minor melee broke out in protection of the lead.

Zack Kassian responded to Oliver Ekman-Larsson walloping Matt Hendricks into the boards with a sharp cross-check to the back, then turned with his gloves flung off, as if to invite all comers. Letestu was off trading punches with the much bigger Martin Hanzal.

Related: Kassian viciously cross-checks Ekman-Larsson

It's the response not seen nearly enough over the last few seasons. Swift and impulsive, and at the same time deliberate.

"We want to be a team that doesn't get pushed around," Hendricks said after the game, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Succinctly put, that's precisely what Peter Chiarelli and management is trying to accomplish with the personnel around Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the club's other skilled forwards. The acquisition of all three pieces on the fourth line, along with top-nine muscle in Milan Lucic and Patrick Maroon, were made with the intention of creating time and space.

But it sure is an added benefit when they can step in and win a game on a night when the stars are muted - especially when it wipes away an irritating narrative.

"Every year is a new group, but we've won now and we don't have to come and answer all your questions," said coach Todd McLellan.

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