CENOVUS GAME STORY

Under the Scope: Oilers vs. Capitals

An in-depth look at Thursday's 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals

Thursday, 27.10.2011 / 10:35 PM / Cenovus Game Story
By Travis Knee  - edmontonoilers.com



Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist, while Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 34 shots to help the Oilers end the perfect start to Washington's season.

The Oilers got powerplay goals from Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, then held on behind the stellar goaltending from Nikolai Khabibulin.

Khabibulin now has a record of 4-0-2 on the season with a .964 SV% and 0.97 GAA.

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

The turning point in this one came on an Oilers powerplay at 12:44 of the second period. With the game all tied up 1-1, forward Jordan Eberle would put the Oilers ahead for good with his second goal of the year. Picking up the rebound off the Corey Potter blast from the point, Eberle had an open cage to look at and made no mistake.
1 Number of losses for the Washington Capitals on the season thanks to your Edmonton Oilers.
45 The faceoff percentage for the Oilers overall in tonight's game. The Oil would win 24 of 53 draws.
9 The total points on the season for both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. This ties them for the team lead.
0 The number regulation losses so far this season for Nikolai Khabibulin. The Oilers goaltender is on fire.
 


Nikolai Khabibulin
SA SV GA TOI SV%
35 34 1 59:46 .971


Jordan Eberle
G A P +/- Shots
1 1 2 -1 1



Troy Brouwer
G A P +/- Shots
0 0 0 E 4



 
Capitals
Tomas Vokoun
SA SV GA TOI SV%
19 17 2 58:46 .895
OILERS
Nikolai Khabibulin
SA SV GA TOI SV%
35 34 1 59:46 .971



 
Capitals
  Dennis Wideman- D

23:26 - 0 PTS, E rating
OILERS
  Tom Gilbert- D

23:52 - 0 PTS, -1 rating


With a four on three powerplay late in the first period, Taylor Hall would finish off a nifty tic-tac-toe passing play to tie the game 1-1. Oilers forward Jordan Eberle would one-touch a pass from defensman Corey Potter, sending the puck cross-crease where Hall would beat an outstretched Vokoun.

What else can be said that hasn't already about the start to the season for Nikolai Khabibulin. Facing the league's best team, Khabibulin was rock solid from start to finish for the Oilers. He would stop 34 of 35 total shots, 19 of which came in the third period as he closed the door on the Capitals.

Tom Gilbert continues to be an unsung hero for the Oilers this season. Although he might not be putting up alot of points, Gilbert is heavily relied upon to log big minutes every night and shut down the opposition's top forwards. Gilbert once again led all Oilers in ice-time tonight, logging 23:52.

It might come as a bit of a surprise, but the current Oiler with the most career points against the Washington Capitals is.....Andy Sutton. With 16 points (8G,8A) in his career against Washington, Sutton led all Oilers coming into tonight's game.

 


"It was a good test. We really wanted to see where we're at. So it feels good to beat one of the best teams in the league"

-- Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin on beating the league leading Capitals.


Friday, October 28 vs. Colorado
  7:00pm MDT (SNET-W / 630 CHED)

The Oilers will take to the road as they travel to Colorado to face the Avalanche Friday night. It will mark the first of six meetings between the two clubs this season and can be seen live on Sportsnet West.
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