Oilers one-up Blues

To conclude his second-period breakaway, Edmonton's Gilbert Brule fires the puck past St. Louis' Manny Legace January 11, 2009 at Rexall Place. (Photo by Andy Devlin/EOHC)

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GAME CENTRE

Pre-Game Info Preview Game Notes Head-to-Head Stats Comparison Video interviews Audio interviews Photo Gallery Click here for the photo gallery Post-Game Video Video Highlights Post-game comments from Ryan Potulny, Sam Gagner, Gilbert Brule, Steve Staios & Craig MacTavish The Other Side: Post-game comments from head coach Andy Murray, Jay McClement, and Jan Stastny Post-Game Podcast Ryan Potulny Gilbert Brule Sam Gagner Steve Staios Craig MacTavish Three Stars Sam Gagner, EDM - Game-winning goal + assist Ryan Potulny, EDM - Two assists in '08-09 NHL debut Erik Cole, EDM - Set up Gagner's game-winner Update With the win, Edmonton improves to 20-18-3 and moves into a tie with Minnesota for 10th spot in the Western Conference. What's Next Edmonton embarks on a three-game road trip, starting Tuesday night in Washington. Game time is 5:00pm MST.

by Jen Sharpe | edmontonoilers.com

Despite surrendering the opening goal to Yan Stastny, the Oilers battled back with markers by Gilbert Brule and Sam Gagner to close out their five-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over the Blues .

FIRST PERIOD

The Blues fired three shots on Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson before drawing penalties from Sheldon Souray and then Sam Gagner to earn the game's first powerplays. Although the visitors held an 8-3 shot lead upon the return of five-on-five, Roloson ensured the scoreless game extended to the period's midway point.

At that time, St. Louis' Barret Jackman was called for hooking and Edmonton's powerplay unit made its debut. Despite firing two shots during the man-advantage, the Oilers were unable to get one by Manny Legace.

The goaltending duel continued through a third Oilers penalty and eventually into the second period.

SECOND PERIOD

Three minutes into the second, the swarming Blues found a way to beat Roloson. After the Oilers goalie stopped a shot and followed the rebound as it flew off to his right, Jay McClement caught the puck, fired it along the goal-line, and watched Yan Stastny tip it in at the opposite side of the net.

After the goal, St. Louis and Edmonton traded penalties. Although neither club managed to score on their man-advantage, the Oilers crafted a trio of shorthanded scoring opportunities to energize their bench and fans.

One minute after Ladislav Smid left the penalty box, Gilbert Brule transfered that energy into a breakaway and his first goal (and point) as an Oiler. After receiving a feed from fresh call-up and former Springfield Falcons teammate Ryan Potulny, Brule accelerated up the slot and beat Legace with a high forehand to tie the game at one. Potulny's assist was also his first point in his first game as an Oiler.

Three penalties kept special teams on the ice for much of the rest of the frame. A period-closing hooking minor to Patrik Berglund helped Edmonton climb to within two shots of St. Louis and start the third with a one-minute man-advantage.

THIRD PERIOD

The Oilers assumed a 20-19 shot lead early in the third, but it would take 21 home shots for the club to take the lead where it counts. 6:31 into the third, Potulny and Erik Cole got the puck to Gagner near the top of a face-off circle. Gagner slapped the puck past Legace to put Edmonton up 2-1 and give Potulny his second assist of the game.

By the final five minutes of regulation, the Blues had yet to register a third-period attempt and struggled to break out of their own zone. Despite stalling offensively, Legace excelled to keep his club within one, including performing a highlight-worthy glove save to rob Cole of a goal.

Legace left the Blues net for the final 70 seconds, but six St. Louis skaters were unable to force extra time as Edmonton held on for a 2-1 victory Sunday night.