Oilers 4 - 3 Blackhawks
Final
  for this game

Blackhawks seek revenge against the Oilers

Jan 2, 2012 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks are tops in the NHL in points, but they hardly looked like the best team in the league the last time they faced the Edmonton Oilers.

The Blackhawks, coming off an outstanding December, look to pay the Oilers back this evening following a seven-goal loss to the club in mid-November.

Chicago won its third straight game over Edmonton with a 6-3 home triumph back on Nov. 13, but was handed a 9-2 defeat at Rexall Place six days later. Taylor Hall had a hat trick for the Oilers and rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins logged five assists.

The Blackhawks, though, posted a 10-2-1 record in December and lead the NHL with 50 points. They have won three of four on a five-game homestand and knocked off the Red Wings 3-2 on Friday to push their edge over second-place Detroit to three points in the Central Division.

Marian Hossa scored to log his eighth goal and 17th point in his last 12 games, while Jonathan Toews connected on a penalty shot before Brent Seabrook potted the game-winner early in the third. Corey Crawford stopped 26 shots.

"That was a great game, playoff atmosphere from start to finish," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. "The noise was great, we had great energy and we played our game from start to finish."

Hossa and Patrick Kane have three assists versus the Oilers this year, while Steve Montador has a pair of goals and an assist.

Chicago has won seven of its last 10 over Edmonton, but has watched the Oilers' power play connect five times on 10 chances in the two meetings this year.

Edmonton's power play went scoreless on four chances on Saturday in a 4-1 defeat to the New York Islanders, giving the Oilers losses in nine of their last 11 games. That includes setbacks in each of the first three of a seven- game road trip.

Sam Gagner tallied and Devan Dubnyk allowed four goals on 29 shots for the Oilers, who saw the Islanders wrap up the game with two goals in a 46-second span early in the second period.

"We became a little unglued as the game wore on. We became less engaged, and showed less energy," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney.

Edmonton has lost seven straight on the road and hasn't won as the guest since Nov. 25. The Oilers are 5-13-1 on the road this season.






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