Final
Oilers hope for consecutive wins in clash with Blue Jackets
Jan 17, 2012 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - The Edmonton Oilers will try to post consecutive wins for the first time in nearly two months when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Nationwide Arena.The Oilers, who are ahead of only Anaheim and Columbus in the Western Conference standings, ended a five-game slide Sunday with an overtime victory against visiting Los Angeles. Edmonton hasn't notched two wins in a row since recording road victories in Nashville and Minnesota on Nov. 22 and 25, respectively.
Edmonton grabbed a 2-1 victory over the Kings thanks to Taylor Hall's power- play goal 3:06 into overtime.
With LA forward Justin Williams sent to the penalty box at the 2:45 mark of overtime, the Oilers capitalized on the power play quickly. Ales Hemsky's slapper from the top of the left circle was stopped by Jonathan Quick, but Shawn Horcoff gathered the rebound in front and made a backhanded pass to Hall, who put the puck into the back of the net.
"[Shawn and myself] have been working on that little play, where if there's any loose stuff around the net I just kind of creep around the side and look for an open net," Hall said.
Josh Green scored in regulation for the Oilers, while Devan Dubnyk made 20 saves.
Sunday's victory allowed Edmonton to salvage a win in their three-game homestand and the Oilers will try to halt a three-game road losing streak tonight. The Oilers are just 6-16-1 as the guest this season and will also visit St. Louis on Thursday before heading back to Edmonton for a two-game homestand.
The hobbled Oilers are still without key players like Jordan Eberle (knee), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (knee), and defenseman Eric Belanger was added to that list when he missed Sunday's tilt with a leg issue. He is questionable for tonight's game.
The Blue Jackets, who are last in the NHL with just 29 points, have lost three of their last four games and are coming off Saturday's 2-1 regulation loss against visiting San Jose. That setback dropped Columbus to 1-1 on its four- game homestand and 7-12-3 as the host this season.
Columbus was tied with the Sharks late in regulation, but Patrick Marleau scored the game winner with 2:57 left in the third.
"I'm happy with the way the guys played," Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. "I thought we had to overcome a lot of obstacles in the game."
Rick Nash lit the lamp and Curtis Sanford made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, who are 1-2 since Richards took over as head coach for the fired Scott Arniel.
The Oilers and Blue Jackets met once earlier this season and Edmonton posted a 6-3 win on home ice. Columbus has taken five of eight overall in this series and the Oilers have lost four straight and five of their last six in Ohio.
- EDMONTON: 2
COLUMBUS: 4
Final
Jan 17 9:40 PM - Columbus Power-Play Empty Net Goal - Derek Dorsett (8), at 19:38.
Oilers 2, Blue Jackets 4 3rd - 0:22Jan 17 9:31 PM - EDMONTON: 2
COLUMBUS: 1
End of 2nd
Jan 17 8:36 PM - EDMONTON: 2
COLUMBUS: 0
End of 1st
Jan 17 7:41 PM - Edmonton Goal - Ben Eager (5), from Jeff Petry and Ales Hemsky at 8:50.
Oilers 2, Blue Jackets 0 1st - 11:10Jan 17 7:19 PM - EDMONTON: 0
COLUMBUS: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Jan 17 7:07 PM
Related News
- GDT: LA! Mar 30
- The Cannon is moving! Mar 29
- GDT.. Vegas Mar 28
- Game 73 Recap: Jackets and Rangers play chaotic first period, New York dominates the rest of the way to beat Columbus 6-2 Mar 28
- Game #73 Preview: Blue Jackets limp into New York Mar 28
- GDT: Coyotes and revisiting Larsson vs Hall Mar 27
- Has Kent Johnson improved this season? Mar 27
- GDT: Vegas baby! Mar 25
- Blue Jackets allow six unanswered goals to Canadiens in blowout loss Mar 25
- Game #72 Preview/Gamethread: Bleu Jackets voyage to Montreal Mar 25
- Game #71 Recap: Kent Johnson Michigan goal helps Blue Jackets to overtime win over Islanders Mar 24
- GameThread #71 - Islanders at Blue Jackets Mar 24