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Lifeless Oilers hope for spark against Canucks

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:43 AM Edmonton (4-2-0) at Vancouver (3-4-0), 10:00 pm EDT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- The Edmonton Oilers seemingly have lost the spark that earned them four consecutive victories to start the season.

Losers of two straight, the lifeless Oilers hope to wake up from their offensive slumber when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

After scoring 13 goals in their first four games, the Oilers have scored just once in their last two. They were blanked by the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-0, on Wednesday and managed just a power-play goal by Shawn Horcoff in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche the following evening.

To make matters worse, the game in Chicago began a string of 10 of 11 contests away from home.

Mired in a mild skid as well, Vancouver has dropped three straight - including a 4-2 setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. It also has endured scoring woes of its own, failing to register more than two goals in each of its recent losses.

Roberto Luongo made 28 saves against Columbus but dropped the decision with a lineup that lacked several regulars such as defenseman Sami Salo (groin), Darcy Hordichuk (knee) and Pavol Demitra (ribs). Rick Rypien also missed the game with a viral illness.

The contest is one of 15 on Saturday's schedule - the first time every team will compete on the same day since October 5, 2005.