EDMONTON, Alberta -- Opposing players are starting to take note of what could finally be significant improvement from the Edmonton Oilers.Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist as the Oilers won their second straight game in a strong start to the season, defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Thursday night.They are not the Oilers of the last few years, Ill tell you that, Blues goalie Jake Allen said. They are a good hockey club and obviously made some good additions to their team.Tyler Pitlick and off-season free-agent signing Milan Lucic scored for Edmonton, which improved to 4-1-0 on the season.Starting 4-1, we couldnt ask for a better start, McDavid said. I think were feeling pretty good about ourselves, but I think its about keeping it on an even keel.Beating one of the best teams in the league was definitely a boost, according to Lucic.Its a huge win, he said. We talked about getting off to a good start, having a good first five games to get our team rolling and build some confidence before the Heritage Classic. It was great that we were able to play a really good game against a really good team.Nail Yakupov replied for the Blues (3-1-1) in his return to Edmonton since he was traded to St. Louis earlier this month.Blues coach Ken Hitchcock felt his team let one get away.Weve really wasted some great goaltending displays by Jake. Hes been outstanding and given us a chance to win both of these last two games, said Hitchcock, who watched his team lose 2-1 in overtime to Vancouver on Tuesday.Its unfortunate with the way he has been playing to only come out with one point from these last two games.There was no scoring in the first period, with the Blues getting 10 shots on Oilers goalie Cam Talbot and Edmonton directing eight shots on Allen.The Blues got on the board 3:37 into the second as a scramble allowed Joel Edmundson to feed it in front to Yakupov. It was the second goal of the season for the former Oiler.The Oilers pulled even three minutes later as Pitlick made a nifty deflection off a shot by Andrej Sekera while being knocked flying to score his third of the season.Edmonton made it 2-1 just 36 seconds into the third period as McDavid broke out of a two-game scoring drought by threading a pass through to Lucic in front. It was the big wings second goal of the year.Both goaltenders made big saves before the Blues came close to tying it up midway through the third. Yakupov had Talbot beat on a backhand shot, but hit the post.McDavid put the game away with his fourth goal of the season into an empty net.Tonight was a huge test for us, Talbot said. Any time you can beat a powerhouse like St. Louis, it goes a long way for the confidence in this group and moving forward thats what we need to have.Game notes It was the first of three meetings between the teams this season. . Yakupov spent four seasons with the Oilers, recording 111 points in 252 games. . Blues F Jaden Schwartz played his first game of the season after recovering from a hyperextended elbow. . Talbot made his fifth start of the season one day after his wife, Kelly, gave birth to twins.UP NEXT:Blues: Conclude a three-game road trip in Calgary on Saturday.Oilers: Are off until Sunday, when they play the Jets in the Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg. Nike Vapormax Plus Norge . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Vapormax Hvit Dame Norge . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. http://www.vapormaxnorge.com/ . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Vapormax Plus Herre Norge . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Vapormax Norge . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Auburns Kamryn Pettway has big, broad shoulders and a knack for finding room to run.So when the 6-foot, 240-pound sophomore had some early success against Mississippi State, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn made sure he got the ball again and again and again.The end result was a career day for Pettway and an easy 38-14 victory for the Tigers over Mississippi State on Saturday. Pettway finished with career highs in rushing yards (169), touchdowns (3) and carries (39).Auburn quarterback Sean White threw for 204 yards and a touchdown, but the most effective thing he did all day was simply turn and had the ball to Pettway, who ran over, around and through an overmatched Mississippi State defense.Hes a beast of a running back, White said. Hes just a tough runner. Hell get the tough yards. It might not always be pretty, but hes a really good asset for us to have.Pettway thrived despite the heavy workload, running for 125 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as Auburn built a 35-0 lead.His role increased after starting running back Kerryon Johnson suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and didnt return. Malzahn said he hoped Johnsons injury wasnt serious.Auburn (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) has won three straight and now gets two weeks to rest before facing Arkansas on Oct. 22.We really like the momentum we have, Malzahn said. Weve talked about getting better each week and weve done that. Were in a good spot.Mississippi State (2-3, 1-2) actually had a little momentum in the games opening minutes when Kivon Coman intercepted a deflected pass to give the Bulldogs great field position at the Auburn 19. But five plays later, Westin Graves missed a 28-yard field goal.It only got worse for Mississippi State.Auburn scored touchdowns on five of its next seven drives to take control of the game. By latee in the second quarter, boos could be heard from the home crowd as Mississippi States struggling offense took the field.ddddddddddddMississippi States Nick Fitzgerald threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns, but almost all that damage came in the second half when Auburn already had control of the game.I wish there was one thing I could point my finger to and say that was it, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. But theres not. It was a lot of things.Fitzgerald also led Mississippi State with 61 yards rushing. Mississippi State faces a quick turnaround -- the Bulldogs have to play at BYU on Friday.Losing is never fun and that kind of loss is pretty depressing I guess, Fitzgerald said. But have your pity party now and tomorrow get back to work.THE TAKEAWAYAuburn: The Tigers showed they might be a factor in the SEC Western Division race after an impressive win. Even after Johnsons injury early in the game, Pettway was able to anchor the running game. White might not be flashy at quarterback, but hes consistent and makes good decisions.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs streak of making the postseason in six straight seasons appears to be in serious jeopardy. The offense doesnt have many playmakers and the defense was overwhelmed by Auburns power running game.POLL IMPLICATIONSAuburn: The Tigers received 46 votes in last weeks rankings and could jump into the top 25 after an impressive road SEC win.UP NEXTAuburn: The Tigers get a week off to rest before a home game against Arkansas on Oct. 22.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs travel to face BYU in a non-conference game on Friday.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . ' ' '