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Hurricanes look to stop skid vs. Oilers

Jan 18, 2008 - 2:15 PM Edmonton (21-22-5) at Carolina (22-23-4) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The last time the Edmonton Oilers visited Carolina, it turned out pretty well for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes will look to end a four-game losing streak Friday when they host the Oilers for the first time since Game Seven of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

Behind an impressive performance from goaltender Cam Ward, Carolina won its first championship in franchise history two seasons ago. Ward, who is 17-16-3 with three shutouts this season, went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006.

Ward, however, has been anything but impressive during the Hurricanes' current slide, surrendering 16 goals over those four contests.

The Oilers failed to tie the NHL record for most shootout wins in a season - set by the Dallas Stars in 2005-06 - when they suffered a 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals.

The Oilers did not score in 12 rounds of the bonus format Thursday, allowing Matt Bradley's tally to stand as the game-winner.

Shawn Horcoff scored two goals and set up and Ales Hemsky had three assists in that contest. Horcoff now has a team-leading 21 tallies and 47 points on the season.

Mathieu Garon will likely be back in the crease for the Oilers on Friday. The 30-year-old netminder is 14-10-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average and three shutouts this season.