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Oilers seek consecutive victories in clash with Habs

Dec 1, 2010 - 3:57 PM (Sports Network) - The Edmonton Oilers will try to record consecutive wins for the first time since the opening week of the season when they visit the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the Bell Centre.

The Oilers, who are last in the Western Conference with just 18 points, began their three-game tour of Northeast Division cities with Monday's triumph in Ottawa. It was the third win in five games for Edmonton and just the fifth victory for the club since beginning the season with consecutive wins over Calgary and Florida.

Edmonton notched a 4-1 victory over the Senators on Monday, as Andrew Cogliano and Gilbert Brule both tallied in the third period for the Oilers. Cogliano has two goals and an assist in his last three contests after failing to register a point in his previous 10 games.

"Andrew (Cogliano) has played very well for us this year from start to finish at this point in time. My hope is that the trend continues," Edmonton head coach Tom Renney said.

Tom Gilbert also supplied a power-play goal for the Oilers, who snapped a six- game losing streak to the Senators that dated to March 14, 2004. Martin Gerber turned away 22 shots to notch his second win in as many starts with Edmonton.

The Oilers played their third straight game without winger Ales Hemsky, who has been bothered by a groin injury. Hemsky is tied for second on the team with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) and is questionable again tonight.

Edmonton is 4-6-3 as the guest this year and will complete its road trip Thursday in Toronto.

The Oilers have not fared well in Montreal recently, losing three straight and five of their last six tests in Quebec. The clubs have split the last eight meetings overall in the series.

The Canadiens completed a solid November with Saturday's win over visiting Buffalo. The 3-1 regulation victory boosted Montreal's record during the month to 8-5-0.

Brian Gionta's two goals and one assist led Montreal past the Sabres on Saturday. Andrei Kostitsyn registered a goal and one helper and Tomas Plekanec posted a pair of assists for the Canadiens, who have taken six of their last seven on home ice.

"You just have to keep putting it on the net and hoping one or two will go in," Gionta said of his good fortune on Saturday. "Getting the opportunities is key, because they'll find their way in. Plekanec is an easy guy to play with and strong on his skates. He's consistent and what he does often goes unnoticed."

Carey Price carried a shutout for the first 58-plus minutes but finished with 35 saves for the win, his 14th of the season.

Montreal, which will make a return trip to Edmonton on Feb. 17., is 9-4-1 as the host this season.