Oilers battle Blues at Rexall

St. Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers 3-5 (0-0, 2-3, 1-2)

Coming into this game the Oilers stood at a 3-3-0 record, while the Blues were 1-5-1. The Oilers kept their lineup from last game, with the exception that Jack Skille was replaced by Gilbert Brule. Babchuk played despite the neck strain he suffered 3 days ago. Ladislav Smid was a healthy scratch.

A vigorous first period saw the Blues play the part of the generous philantropist, donating willingly to Edmonton both chances and power plays, none of which were sufficient to break the deadlock. Chris Mason was defiant throughout, denying Cogliano, Laich and Moore great chances from in close.

The Blues had had enough of the charity, however, as Brad Boyes weaved his way through the Oilers defense to cap a brilliant individual effort with a deke on Khabibulin. That, in turn, drove the Oilers to a more sustained offensive effort, which culminated in a power play goal of the most brutal sort, where Dustin Penner literally steamrolled his way through to the net and scored. Not long after, Hemsky again set up a goal, this time serving Sam Gagner who came straight out of the bench to break away and score on Mason. His goal was followed suit by another one, which was batted home by Brooks Laich on Mason's doorstep. St. Louis kept the Oilers at bay for the remainder of the period, and TJ Oshie did well to reduce the lead to one with a late goal.

The Oilers kept moving the puck well during the third, establishing a firm grip on the game. Even though the shot clock was even at 19 going into the last period, the Blues had given up 6 power plays and had blocked an additional 20 shots so far. They were unable to block Gilbert Brule from scoring his first of the season in his first game, a goal which also gave Cogliano his third assist of the night. When O'Marra scored the 5th goal of the night, on a weak shot nearly from the blueline, Chris Mason looked defeated as did his team. Though Boyes managed to pull within two late on, it was not good enough to catch the slick Oilers in their first 2 goal win of the year.

Post game: Kevin Constantine was thoroughly pleased that the Oilers were finally able to run away with a game, though the Blues did well to keep it close. Pundits pointed out, even in a victory, the Oilers inability to convert on the power play - Edmonton managed only 1 PP goal on a total of 9 full minors. A high note for the Oilers and a sour note for the Blues was the inspired play of youngster Cogliano, who finished with three assists for the first star of the game.

Scoreboard
1st Period:
-

2nd Period:
STL - Boyes (Berglund, Perron)
EDM - Penner (Hemsky, Babchuk) PP
EDM - Gagner (Hemsky, Cogliano)
EDM - Laich (Cogliano, Visnovsky)
STL - Oshie (Calder, Pietrangelo)

3rd Period:
EDM - Brule (Laich, Cogliano)
EDM - O'Marra (Yonkman)
STL - Boyes (Kovalev, Colaiacovo)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Cogliano - Laich - Brule
Axelsson - Stone - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Lashoff - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)