Oilers hunt Predators in Nashville

Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators 5-4 (1-0, 3-2, 1-2)

Edmonton made no changes to the lineup that won 4-1 against the Blues. Dustin Penner's return has been estimated to about a week, following his abdominal injury. Ethan Moreau was still sidelined with a leg contusion.

A very competitive and close fought first period included a selection of missed chances for both sides. The Oilers' in-form first line, however, managed to get themselves on the board with a nice rush that Gagner capped off by beating Pekka Rinne. After a slow start, with just 1 point in his first 6 games, Ales Hemsky has put up 13 in his last 9 outings.

The same line combined for another marker early in the second period, this time it was O'Sullivan who took advantage of a breakaway following some slick passing on the rush. Nashville were not by any means being outplayed though, and got themselves right back in the mix with a Colin Wilson goal, followed by an Arnott power play marker. But, on the strength of their recent form, the Oilers took whole chapters from their former coach, Pat Quinn, by applying the 'bend, don't break' mantra and returned fire. Ladislav Smid potted his first of the season, while Gilbert Brule finally scored again after a recent dry spell.

To nobody's surprise, Jason Arnott managed to score his second after being gifted the chance by a Grebeshkov turnover, but to everyone's amazement, the goal was countered by Ladislav Smid's second of the game! The game had yet more goals and excitement left in it, as Nashville closed to within one when Erat tallied another Predator power play goal. The final five minutes were ruled by aggression, a massive Arnott miss and Khabibulin stepping up to secure the win.

Post game: First star, and supreme surprise, of the game was Ladi Smid, who scored two from the limited minutes of the 4th line. It was certainly no defensive lecture, though maybe a lesson in the necessity of defensive composure. Turnovers flourished, puck carriers went unchallenged and goalies were left to their own devices. "I'm not entirely pleased with the way in which we got the win, but we took the game to them throughout 60 minutes" said head coach Constantine in the post-game interview. Fans were reportedly elated with their first line, which again produced much offense.

Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Gagner (O'Sullivan, Hemsky)

2nd Period:
EDM - O'Sullivan (Hemsky, Gagner)
NSH - Wilson (Arnott, Erat)
NSH - Arnott (Sullivan, Satan) PP
EDM - Smid (-)
EDM - Brule (Laich, Cogliano)

3rd Period:
NSH - Arnott (Dumont, Goc)
EDM - Smid (Falardeau)
NSH - Erat (Wilson, Boullion) PP


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

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

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Lashoff - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)