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Oilers looking to end struggles against Predators

Dec 28, 2008 - 7:51 AM Nashville (17-14-3) at Edmonton (16-14-3), 8:00 pm EST

EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) -- If the Edmonton Oilers are post their third straight win, they will have to defeat a team that has had their number.

The Oilers will hope to topple the Nashville Predators for the first time in over 2 1/2 years when the teams meet on Sunday.

Edmonton has lost nine consecutive games to the Predators, including a 3-1 setback on October 30 in their only meeting this season. The Oilers' last win over Nashville came on March 5, 2006.

Shawn Horcoff and defenseman Sheldon Souray each scored on two-man advantages in the second period propelled Edmonton to a 3-2 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.

The Predators will attempt to, once again, stop the Oilers' momentum.

Vernon Fiddler scored with just over one minute remaining in the second period and Dan Ellis finished with 38 saves as Nashville recorded a 3-2 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday in a battle of Central Division rivals.

"They have been the symbol of excellence in the league for a long time, so when they come in, our team gets ramped up," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said of the defending Stanley Cup champions.

"We played them in the playoffs last year and they knocked us out, so there was some motivation there."