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Oilers down Predators in SO

Mar 2, 2011 - 6:40 AM Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Linus Omark registered the game-winning goal in the shootout, as the Edmonton Oilers edged the Nashville Predators, 2-1, at Rexall Place.

Jimmy Vandermeer scored the regulation goal for the Oilers, who halted a two- game skid and will conclude their four-game homestand on Thursday against Columbus.

Martin Gerber finished with 34 saves for Edmonton, which played its first game without forward Dustin Penner, who was dealt to Los Angeles on Monday prior to the trade deadline.

Blake Geoffrion scored his first career goal for the sinking Predators, who gained one point and moved within one of second-place Chicago in the Central Division.

Pekka Rinne turned aside 25 shots for Nashville, which has only one victory in its last six games (1-4-1).

"It's a huge point that got away from us -- these are the games we must win," said Rinne. "Obviously it's a big point, and we have to respect that, but right now it feels like a lost game."

The teams traded goals within a 41-second span in the first period.

First, at the 12:45 mark, Geoffrion's goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. A nifty pass from along the rear boards by Ryan Suter was sent to the area near the left post, where a snap shot one-timer by Geoffrion flew into the back of the cage.

"It's obviously disappointing that we lost, but it was good to get that first goal of my career," said Geoffrion.

Less than a minute later, the Oilers tied it up when Vandermeer's blazing slap shot from the top of the left circle lit the lamp. The puck made its way through heavy traffic in front and settled into the upper right corner.

After a scoreless second stanza, the Oilers had a chance to take the lead when they gained a power play midway through the third but the aggressive Nashville penalty killing unit was outstanding.

The scoreless overtime led to a shootout, and after both sides scored in the first frame, neither could follow in the ensuing two. In the fourth round, Omark beat Rinne with a soft, slow forehand into the lower left side of the net before Gerber stopped Cody Franson and the Oilers skated off with the win.

Game Notes

The final 1:11 of the second period was played as extra time at the start of the third due to a broken pane of glass...Nashville fell to 17-16-2 on the road this season, while the Oilers are now 11-19-4 at home...In exchange for Penner, the Oilers received defensive prospect Colten Teubert, a first-round pick in the upcoming draft as well as a conditional third-round selection in 2012...Both teams finished scoreless on three power-play chances.