Predators shoot Oilers out of the win

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

The Oilers continued their road trip, but allowed veteran starter Nikolai Khabibulin a rest as they returned to their conference to play Nashville. While Edmonton had a healthy 8 point gap down to the playoff cut, Nashville had the distinct look of seller on them - having already shipped out various players for draft picks and sitting in 13th with 26-28-6.

As the home team were stalking their prey they found themselves in an unexpected ambush from the Oilers' third line, Greg Moore deflected in a soft ranged effort from Krysanov early in the period. The Predators had barely gotten the game started again before the same line struck against them again, this time from a nice cycle game that allowed Moore to find some space in front and he was found by Krysanov so he could deposit his second of the game. Nashville finally regrouped and got their game going towards the end of the period and was rewarded when Yelle managed to sneak a poor angle shot by Hiller.

The Preds completed their comeback with some ease as Erat simply knocked the puck by Gilbert and rushed past him and in on Hiller before tallying his 16th of the year. The Oilers no longer looked like the playoff-bound team because it was Nashville who rallied to score the leading goal four minutes before the second intermission. The home team's grit and willingness to block shots allowed them to push their opponents into the corners time and time again.

David Friedman cleverly observed that "The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations." He forgot, however, to mention one small Slovak by the name of Lubomir Visnovsky whose forceful slap shot hit the back of the net before Rinne could even react. The Oilers continued use of force led to problems though, as they took 4 successive minors, the last of which was punished by a lacklustre Nashville power play. There was no more than a minute to go when the Oilers were given a fortunate power play - and with Hiller on the bench for a sixth attacker the away team ruptured the home fans' dream of a regulation win. The in-form players Tangradi and Visnovsky combined to deliver the puck to Laich in front of the net and the powerful centreman asserted his presence by knocking it by Rinne with seconds to go.

Overtime went by relatively eventlessly, and even though Moore scored to equalise Arnott's early marker, Hemsky failed to even out Erat's goal in the final round of the shootout. The Oilers lost with a point to show for it.

Post game: "I am disappointed in our lack of discipline when it mattered most" reflected head coach Kevin Constantine, referring to the streak of Oilers minors in the third period. When Nashville raised the tempo, the Oilers hung on - too literally. On an encouraging note, the second and third line looked alive and able to make a difference throughout the game.

Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Moore (Krysanov, Axelsson)
EDM - Moore (Krysanov, Axelsson)
NSH - Yelle (Foster, Goc)

2nd Period:
NSH - Erat (Legwand, Sulzer)
NSH - Goc (Yelle, Hinote)

3rd Period:
EDM - Visnovsky (Gagner) PP
NSH - Richardson (Legwand, Foster) PP
EDM - Laich (Tangradi, Visnovsky) PP


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - Cogliano
Moore - Krysanov - Axelsson
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Hiller
(Khabibulin)