Once again, Nikolai Khabibulin was the hero of the match as he set aside 37 shots to help the Oilers record their 2nd straight win. At the other end, Canucks net-minder Roberto Luongo was pulled in the second after letting in 3 goals on 14 shots. After it was all said and done, it was the kids who were responsible for ending Luongo's night, who combined for 5 points.
"It was a frustrating night for me. I felt I was moving well and seeing the puck well in the first period and then in a five minute span they got three quick ones and that was all she wrote." said Luongo.
The Oilers now move 2 games above .500 but most importantly pick-up 2 points against their divisional rivals which could pay dividends come April.
"It was a statement game. These are the games that good teams win, the games that really matter in the standings at the end of the year. These are the games that, if were are the team that we think we are, that we have to win." said Taylor Hall who scored his second of year.
Over in 5 minutes.
2 minutes into the second, Taylor Hall peeled off the half boards and found Jordan Eberle alone on the high slot as he made no mistake to earn his first of the season.
4 minutes later, Luongo misplayed the puck behind his net and Ryan Smyth collected the loose biscuit and dished it off to Shawn Horcoff to make it 2-0.
1 minute later, the kid line struck again and it was Taylor Hall who narrowly slid the puck past Luongo to earn his second goal of the year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle each collected helpers on the goal.
The Canucks finally managed to break Khabibulin's goose egg when they received tallies from Cody Hodgson and Alexandre Burrows, but it wasn't enough as the Oilers held on for the win.
During the win the Oilers lost Ryan Whitney to a knee sprain. The veteran defenseman finished the first period but did no return to the line-up. According to Oilers Head Coach, Tom Renney - at the moment Whitney is now "listed as day-to-day".
The Oilers will now host the Washington Capitals this Thursday at Rexall Place.
Photo www.edmontonjournal.com
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