CENOVUS GAME STORY

Under the Scope: Oilers at Predators

An in-depth look at Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Nashville

Tuesday, 22.03.2011 / 7:59 PM / Cenovus Game Story
By Karmela Arocena  - edmontonoilers.com



The Oilers rolled into Nashville this evening hoping to snap a six game losing streak.  Devan Dubnyk returned to the net, playing against the team, and in the building, where he recorded his first NHL shutout.

Things didn't start off well for Edmonton as the Predators were able to go up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.  They added to their lead in the second, but Jordan Eberle was able to answer back with a powerplay goal to cut the lead to 3-1.  The final frame saw nothing change, as the Predators went on to win the game by the 3-1 score.

Though Devan Dubnyk wasn't able to replicate his 4-0 shutout victory like his last trip to Nashville, the young netminder stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced, sporting a .900 save percentage on the evening.

All you need to know and more as we go Under the Scope:

Game Recap | Oilers This Week  | Post-Game Interviews |  Highlights  |  Post-Game Audio


The Predators tested the Oilers early and often, outshooting them 16-5 through the first 20 minutes of play.  The constant pressure saw the Oilers go down 2-0 just 7:40 into the game.  The Preds scored in the second to make it 3-0, and the three goal deficit proved to be too much for the Oilers as they were unable to play catch-up, eventually dropping the game 3-1.
36 The Oilers were only able to muster a 36% efficiency rate in the faceoff circle tonight. Rookie Teemu Hartikainen was the only Oilers player to get above 50%, winning 67% of his draws.
26 Throwing hits was something the Oilers were not afraid to do tonight.  They recorded 26 hits against the Predators. Jeff Petry had the most of anyone on the team, recording four.
8 Unlike throwing hits, the Oilers were not blocking shots tonight.  They only blocked eight tonight, with Ryan Jones blocking the most with two.
5 Both teams played tonight with discipline.  The Oilers and Predators had a combined five penalties tonight.


David Legwand
G A P +/- Shots
1 1 2 +2 5


Ryan Suter
G A P +/- Shots
0 2 2 +1 2


Patric Hornqvist
G A P +/- Shots
1 0 1 +1 4



PREDATORS
Pekka Rinne
SA SV GA TOI SV%
20 19 1 50:53 .950
OILERS
Devan Dubnyk
SA SV GA TOI SV%
30 27 3 50:36 .900



PREDATORS
Shea Weber - D

23:23 - 1P, +1 rating
OILERS
Tom Gilbert - D

23:45 - 0P, -1 rating



It was a dazzling tic-tac-toe play that opened the scoring for Nashville that proved to be the play of the game.  At just 4:08 of the third, David Legwand skated into the Oilers' zone and made a quick pass to Joel Ward. Ward then was able to feed the puck to Martin Erat who fired the puck into a wide-open cage.


Tonight the Predators were looking to secure a much needed two points as they are in the middle of the Western Conference's playoff race.  In an important game to the Predators, David Legwand stepped up and helped lead his team to victory.  In his 20:42 of ice-time, Legwand notched a goal and an assist, had 5 shots, and was a +1.


Liam Reddox did not go this game unnoticed.  Throughout the contest, Reddox was playing with an edge.  He found himself in prime scoring opportunities, or was giving his linemates their own scoring chances.  Overall, what started as a call-up has resulted in a full-time position for Reddox, and tonight was evident of the impact he makes on the team.


When the Oilers were down 2-0 in the first, Ryan Jones was trying to turn things around by playing physical.  With his 114th hit of the season, Jones caught Martin Erat admiring his pass late in the first period and proceeded to level the Nashville player near the Oilers' bench.



With the Oilers seventh consecutive loss, it has now been 17 days since the Oilers last recorded a win.  Their last victory came earlier this month against the Colorado Avalanche on March 5.


"We got down a little bit but definitely pushed back in the second period.  That just goes to show what we can do when we do play and we don't turn pucks over."

- Devan Dubnyk about tonight's loss to Nashville


Thursday, March 24 at Blues
6:00pm MDT (SNET-W / 630 CHED)


After dropping a 3-1 decision to the Predators, the Oilers are hoping to snap a seven-game losing skid against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.