Oilers continue road trip in California

Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks 4-3 SO (0-1, 1-0, 2-2, 1-0 SO )

The Oilers continued a difficult streak extending 8 games back, in which every opponent had been anchored well above the playoff cut. The Ducks fit the bill as well, commanding the Pacific division by a 5 point margin over the Sharks. Edmonton started Nik Khabibulin, but made no other lineup changes from last game.

Anaheim controlled, but did not dominate, the first period. Hemsky, Penner and Gagner produced some good chances, but were unable to convert any of them. Ryan Getzlaf re-affirmed his position as an elite forward in the NHL with a stunning set of moves as he dangled his way through four Oilers players on his way to beat Khabibulin with an electric wristshot, wired right up under the bar.

Edmonton's first line kept doing well in the second period, but JS Giguere defended his team's one goal lead well. A highlight of the period was Brooks Laich's monster hit on former Oiler Sheldon Souray, one that led to a turnover and a fine chance for Moore, though that was saved as well. Giguere could not, however, deny Ales Hemsky from netting his 16th of the year, as the Czech got in behind the defense and deked Giguere out of position before scoring easily.

Getzlaf would have none of being on level terms, adding his second of the game a few minutes into the final period. Some good puck movement on the power play allowed Getzlaf to take his time with a shot from the top of the circle, and he did not fail. If the Ducks had put up two aesthetically high class goals, Edmonton's second was far from it. Greg Moore equalised through a blue collar power play marker, deflecting the puck, which was initially saved, then crashing in for a rebound to slip the puck by Giguere. The game opened up, and opportunities abound. On a fine rush on the man advantage, Gagner dropped it to Visnovsky who found Cogliano at the side of the net, who beat a scrambling netminder to put the Oilers up by one. Nevertheless, a late goal by Whitney meant over time in a thrilling game.

A stalemate in overtime led to a shootout. Gagner and Hemsky made short work of the Ducks by netting both their attempts, while the Bulin Wall kept out intruders Koivu and Ryan in their attempts.

Post game: The Oilers finally found some real offense again in this brilliant hockey game. Anaheim's relatively belligerent approach certainly hurt their chances, giving up 9 power plays. "They have a very good team" commented GM Kowalski, "but we managed to hang on throughout. We obviously have some good players of our own, but we have struggled to score lately".


Scoreboard
1st Period:
ANA - Getzlaf (Ryan, Rachunek)

2nd Period:
EDM - Hemsky (Visnovsky, Penner)

3rd Period:
ANA - Getzlaf (Ryan, Saprykin) PP
EDM - Moore (Penner, Laich) PP
EDM - Cogliano (Visnovsky, Gagner) PP
ANA - Whitney (Artyukhin)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Cogliano - Laich - O'Sullivan
Moore - Krysanov - Brule
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)