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Oilers looking to end struggles

Dec 29, 2007 - 1:58 PM Edmonton (16-19-3) at Minnesota (21-14-2) 8:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - The Edmonton Oilers look to end a four-game losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

The Oilers failed to snap their slide in their last game on Thursday, managing just 16 shots on goal during a 2-1 setback to the Anaheim Ducks.

Edmonton has struggled on offense during their recent slump, scoring just five goals during the skid. For the season, the Oilers rank 29th in the NHL with just 2.29 goals per game.

The Oilers have managed just five wins this month with only one coming in regulation - a 4-0 triumph over the Ducks on December 2.

The Wild have been hot lately, claiming wins in five of their last seven games - including a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday.

The win came just one day after Minnesota tied a franchise-high by allowing eight tallies during a five-goal loss to the Dallas Stars.

After a team meeting Thursday morning, the Wild put forth a strong effort on the ice, scoring all three goals on power plays while Niklas Backstrom made 46 saves to improve to 14-7-1 this season.

Backstrom, who signed a two-year, $6.2-million contract with the Wild during the offseason, has won all three of his starts against the Oilers this season and is 7-0-0 with a 0.90 goals-against average all-time against Edmonton.