Oilers 2 - 0 Flames
Final
  for this game

Flames, Oilers continue Battle of Alberta in Calgary

Dec 27, 2013 - 4:02 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - After both picked up a much-needed victory to begin the week, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames look to come out of the holiday break with a second straight victory on Friday night in the third installment this season of the Battle for Alberta.

The Oilers were in the midst of a season-high six-game slide before knocking off the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Monday. Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists as Edmonton put the game away with a three-goal third period.

Hall set up David Perron's goal with 3:20 to go in the second period that snapped a 2-2 tie and joined Jeff Petry and Nail Yakupov as the third-period goal scorers. Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner also lit the lamp.

The Oilers had scored just six goals and been shut out three times over their losing streak.

"We stuck with it and were finally rewarded for our hard work," Edmonton head coach Dallas Eakins said of his team's perseverance. "We had a good start and we were able to maintain it."

Ilya Bryzgalov made 18 saves in Edmonton's first win since Dec. 10. The Oilers have not won two in a row since a three-game run from Nov. 16-21.

The Flames brought an 0-2-2 winless stretch to a close on Monday with a 4-3 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues, getting a game-tying goal from defenseman Mark Giordano with 5.1 seconds left in regulation.

After St. Louis' Patrik Berglund was called for roughing, Calgary pulled goaltender Reto Berra and Giordano ripped home a one-time feed from Jiri Hudler.

"We felt like the last three or four games we've been playing really well, but we haven't been getting the results," Giordano said. "Against one of the best teams in the league to come back and win in that way, it leaves a good feeling. It's going to be a nice Christmas break for sure."

Hudler and Mike Cammalleri had a goal and an assist each, while Berra ended with 32 saves.

Calgary center Matt Stajan did limp into the dressing room in overtime after getting hit and his status for tonight's second contest of a five-game homestand is unknown.

These two rivals have split two meetings this season, with the Oilers notching a 4-2 victory in Calgary on Nov. 16 before the Flames responded with a 2-1 overtime decision in Edmonton on Dec. 7.

Calgary has won 12 of the previous 17 meetings overall and 11 of the last 14 at home.

Berra was in net for the first two meetings this season, posting a 1.97 goals against average.

Bryzgalov is 10-7-1 with a 2.69 GAA in 18 career meetings with the Flames, while Devan Dubnyk is 5-4-2 with a 2.46 GAA versus them. He started the previous two encounters.

It is unknown which goaltender will start tonight as Edmonton is also set to host Bryzgalov's former Philadelphia Flyers club on Saturday.






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