Oilers start 5 game road trip in Toronto

Edmonton Oilers vs Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 (2-0, 1-0, 1-2)

The resurrected Maple Leafs were second in the Eastern Conference with a 9-3-1 record before this game, while the Oilers had seen their three game win streak broken against the Sharks. Jonas Hiller was preferred to Khabibulin in this game.

The Oilers came out with no respect for the North East Division leaders, as Greg Moore extended his goal streak to 5 games! Unfortunately, the Oilers lost Ethan Moreau to injury not long thereafter, though it did not seem to stop the team from amassing some shots on Leaf netminder Martin Biron. In fact, Andrew Cogliano, having stepped into that 4th line vacancy, contributed to setting up another Oilers goal late in the period, scored by O'Marra.

There was more in store in the lore during the second period, the Oilers opened the show by notching up a power play goal, with Cogliano threading the needle to find Greg Moore in front, and Moore beat Biron glove side. The period finished after Yonkman had fought it out with Colton Orr, though taking the instigator in the process, but the Oilers killed off the 2 minutes quite comfortably.

Toronto took advantage of Hiller's poor rebound control on a Kulemin shot early in the third to create some tension in the stands - but Edmonton duly replied as O'Sullivan scored his 5th of the season three minutes afterwards. Ten minutes before the final whistle Kulemin got away from his marker close to the net and put away a nice pass from Malhotra, but the Oilers controlled the game from that point.

Post game: Greg Moore had another solid game, prompting many fans to question if he is too good to be a third liner, to which head coach Constantine explained that the Oilers are looking for more balanced lines, spreading some of their wealth so all lines could contribute. Youngster Cogliano also added to his fan base, point total and general admiration by using speed and determination to break down the relatively slow Leafs defense throughout the game.


Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Moore (Laich, Grebeshkov)
EDM - O'Marra (Falardeau, Cogliano)

2nd Period:
EDM - Moore (Cogliano, Gilbert) PP

3rd Period:
TOR - Malhotra (Kulemin, Tlusty)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Gagner, Hemsky)
TOR - Kulemin (Malhotra, Tlusty)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
- Ethan Moreau (1st period)


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

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Hiller
(Khabibulin)