Oilers close home stand against Sharks

San José Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers 3-2 (1-0, 2-1, 0-1)

The Oilers were on a three game winning streak coming into this one, while the Sharks sat at a forceful 8-3-1 record. Edmonton made no changes to a lineup which beat the Blackhawks 3-2 two nights ago.

David Zucker said "Quit now, and you'll never make it. If you disregard this advice, you'll be halfway there." The Oilers did not seem tempted to quit on their winning run, though the Sharks had plans of their own, prowling into the Oilers zone frequently during the first - Dany Heatley emerging from the waterline to draw first blood, scoring his 11th of the year.

Having thrown five full power plays overboard during the first half of the game, the Oilers were drawn into the murky waters by the Sharks on their first man advantage of the game - veteran Mike Johnson put the visitors up by 2 after 8 minutes of the 2nd period. Edmonton's respiration was cut further short by Devin Setoguchi who scored a third unanswered goal shortly after that, the cement shoes were weighing on the Oilers. The hosts finally caught a break when their power play clicked on the 8th chance of the game, courtesy of Patrick O'Sullivan's sublime finish.

For the second straight game the Oilers managed to score while between shifts, Andrew Cogliano stayed on the ice to feed third liner Stone whose shot rebounded for Greg Moore who put it away. There was daylight after all! Even with Khabibulin on the bench for the 6th attacker and a power play during the final two, the Oilers were unable to close the gap to the Sharks, however, and lost 3-2.

Post game: The Sharks' top line of Setoguchi, Thornton and Heatley proved a weight the Oilers could not keep off, yet they showed some resilience by keeping it close in the end. The Oilers fans must be frustrated with the erratic play of star Ales Hemsky, who was dismal in this one, despite the positive play of his linemates. Greg Moore extended his scoring streak to 3 games.


Scoreboard
1st Period:
SJS - Heatley (Thornton, Setoguchi)

2nd Period:
SJS - Johnson (Clowe, Vlasic) PP
SJS - Setoguchi (Clowe, Russell)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Visnovsky, Gagner)

3rd Period:
EDM - Moore (Stone, Cogliano)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

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

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)