Oilers score four straight, defeat Senators 4-1

Edmonton's Colin Fraser and J-F Jacques scuffle with Ottawa's Matt Carkner during the first period at Scotiabank Place November 29, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

 

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PRE-GAME

Preview Game Notes Head-to-Head Stats Comparison Video interviews Audio Interviews

PHOTOS

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VIDEO

Highlights Ryan Martindale prospect update Post-game comments from Brule, Cogliano, Gerber and coach Renney

AUDIO

Prospect update: Ryan Martindale Martin Gerber Andrew Cogliano Gilbert Brule Head Coach Tom Renney

THREE STARS

Andrew Cogliano, EDM Gilbert Brule, EDM Martin Gerber, EDM

UPDATE

With the win, the Oilers improve to 7-12-4 on the season.

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Under the Scope

WHAT'S NEXT

Edmonton continues its three-game road trip Wednesday, Dec. 1 in Montreal. The game starts at 5:00pm MT and will be broadcast on TSN.

Despite surrendering the opening goal early in the first, the Oilers battled back with four straight -- including three in the third -- to defeat the Senators 4-1 Monday night.

Under the Scope

Linemates Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule, and Dustin Penner joined forces for two goals, while Tom Gilbert got his fourth of the season and Taylor Hall added an empty-netter. Goalie Martin Gerber stopped 22 for the win.

FIRST PERIOD

3:22 after opening puck drop, a high-sticking minor to Ryan Whitney put the Oilers on the penalty kill. The Senators added one attempt on the initial power-play, but Gerber frustrated his former team by turning it away.

Although Ottawa couldn't score on the man-advantage, the hometown club made it happen one minute later. Gerber stopped an initial attempt, but chaos in the crease helped Nick Foligno slip the puck over the line, making it 1-0 Senators.

There was little reprieve for Edmonton: 41 seconds after the goal, Sam Gagner took a tripping minor and Ottawa went back on the power-play. The Oilers allowed a few more attempts but kept the puck out of the net, continuing a perfect PK.

The Sens crafted a 10-6 shot lead as the period continued. With 2:31 left on the clock, a third consecutive Oilers penalty put the visitors back on the disadvantage, but Shawn Horcoff was able to complete his two minutes for hooking and the 1-0 game persisted into the second period.

SECOND PERIOD

Three minutes into the middle frame, Edmonton finally got a chance to see the other side of the man-advantage when Jesse Winchester took two for high-sticking. The Oilers registered a pair of power-play shots but were unable to get an equalizer past Brian Elliott.

Like the Sens in the first, the Oilers power-plays continued. Edmonton took its first shot-lead on the second man-advantage, but it would take two more before the club lit the lamp.

With less than two minutes left on the clock and 30 seconds left in Chris Neil's tripping minor, Gilbert fired a slapshot through traffic and past Elliott to even the score heading into the third period.

THIRD PERIOD

Early in the final frame, a jumble of players on top of Elliott created confusion as to whether the puck crossed the line, but officials ruled no goal and the 1-1 tie continued.

Although the Oilers weren't credited with that one, the club got its goal shortly thereafter. Poised at the bottom of the slot, Cogliano tipped in Brule's slapshot to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead.

Edmonton held a slim shot lead as time ticked down. With 7:12 remaining, the club increased their lead where it counts. Like the previous goal but reversed, Cogliano set up Brule for a beautiful tip-in that slipped over Elliott's glove and set the score 3-1. With another secondary assist, Penner joined his linemates in the two-point club.

Ottawa opted for six skaters in the final two minutes, and rookie Taylor Hall pounced, adding an empty-netter to Edmonton's tally.

The goal sealed a 4-1 victory for Edmonton and a winning start to the team's three-game road trip.