Oilers begin 7 game home stand versus Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 0-4 (0-0, 0-3, 0-1)

The Oilers re-shuffled their lines significantly upon the return of power forward Dustin Penner, forcing Ryan O'Marra out of the lineup once again. Penner drew in on the first line, while O'Sullivan was bumped to the second line. Gilbert Brule took O'Marra's spot alongside Falardeau and Moreau on the fourth line.

"What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better" said Wendell Phillips. The Oilers suffered a loss 4 nights ago against the Jackets and tried to even the score with an early offensive, though they did not come closer than hitting the post in the first period. Were they better? Certainly.

Patrick O'Sullivan added to that first step towards something better by actually putting up a goal, scored on the power play a few minutes into the second period. The same man took it upon himself to walk the distance, it seemed, as he notched up his second of the night on a brilliant rush. It appeared to have opened the proverbial flood gates, and through them washed Lubomir Visnovsky's fine point effort, sending the Oilers ahead by 3 before the third.

The Oilers were on top and added to their sizeable lead when Tom Gilbert scored his first of the season, leaving little chance for a comeback by the Blue Jackets. The remainder of the period gave Edmonton the chance to provide more ice time for their 3rd and 4th line, resulting in no more goals, but they kept their own net clean and Khabibulin could register his first shutout in 2010/11.

Post game: After having gone 3-2-0 in their 5 game road trip, the Oilers started off with confidence at home against an inferior opponent. Patrick O'Sullivan played a terrific game, and his play was accompanied by the fine performances of Visnovsky, Laich, Cogliano and Babchuk. The home fans were thrilled to see their team outbattle Columbus in every facet of the game.



Scoreboard
1st Period:
-

2nd Period:
EDM - O'Sullivan (Babchuk, Visnovsky) PP
EDM - O'Sullivan (Laich, Cogliano)
EDM - Visnovsky (Gagner) PP

3rd Period:
EDM - Gilbert (O'Sullivan, Smid)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

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

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)