Under the Scope: Oilers vs. Penguins

An in-depth look at tonight's game against Pittsburgh

Thursday, 14.01.2010 / 9:53 PM / Features
By Kristi Hennessy  - edmontonoilers.com
THE TURNING POINT
The Oilers had about 12 seconds at the end of the first period to score on a 5-on-3 power play. They failed to do so and started the second with the Pens down two men. It was Cogliano who sealed the 1-0 deal on the 5-on-3. He wired one on net and Fleury saved that one but the rebound popped right back onto Cogliano’s stick and he made that one stick. He buried that one and here we go 1-0 Oilers.




TOP PERFORMERS
OILERS - Visnovsky had a great night tonight picking up an assist on the first goal and sinking one of his own on the power play in the second period.

O’Sullivan also had a strong game tonight picking up assists on both Oilers goals tonight.

Sam Gagner did not find his way onto the score sheet but sure had his fair share of chances tonight. He fired five shots on net, blocked a pair of shots, and went 10 and seven in the face off circle which is 59%.

PENS- Crosby has 18 goals and 32 points in the last 21 games. Bill Guerin has 11 points in his last 11 games.

Jordan Staal picked up an assist on all three Penguins goals tonight. He finished the game with a +2.

SAVE OF THE GAME
With about six minutes to play in the second period, Smid took a high-sticking penalty. Bill Guerin had a great chance all alone breaking in on Dubnyk. He fired a backhand shot on net but Dubnyk closed the door and kept the Oilers up 2-0. Gonchar fired a slap shot and Guerin got another chance at a goal but couldn’t solve Dubnyk. Thanks to Dubnyk, Oilers killed off that Pens power play in the last few minutes of the second period.





THE 4TH STAR
The fourth star should go to Lubomir Visnovsky. He picked up a helper on the first goal of the game and net one of his own on the power play giving the Oilers the 2-0 lead at 11:53 of the second period. Lubo had three shots on net in his 18:39 minutes of ice time.



STAT(S) OF THE NIGHT
 Oilers have now sold out 179 straight games at Rexall Place. That streak started back on November 29/05... Sidney Crosby is now 5-0-0 against Western Canadian teams in his career... It took Crosby only 292 games to reach 400 points in his career - the sixth-fastest in NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky (197), Mario Lemieux (240), Peter Stastny (247), Eric Lindros (277) and Mike Bossy (283). 





BY THE NUMBERS

30- Crosby is 2nd in the NHL in goals with 30.

600-  Gagner is skating in his 200th game tonight. He has 116 points (38G, 78A) in 199 games.

129- Jacques is 16th in the league for hits with 129.

18- Returning players from last year’s Stanley Cup Championship Penguins team.

404,137- Total attendance this year at Rexall Place.


Author: Kristi Hennessy | edmontonoilers.com