Oilers 5
Final
The Oilers took advantage of a terrible Avs PK and a less than stellar Craig Anderson as they skated to a 5-3 victory over the Avs. This was the Avs 1st loss at home this season as they couldn't break the club record for best home record to start a season. They were also the last team in the league to lose a game at hoome.
The Avs took stupid penalty after stupid penalty and it ultimately cost them the game. The Oilers scored on their first 3 power plays, all of which came in the 1st period and took a 3-1 lead into the 2nd period. The Avs made it 3-2 in the 2nd with a goal that went off Stastny in front of the net and then hit TJ Hensick's skate and slid over the line. It was Hensick's 1st of the season. Oilers made it 4-2 early in the 3rd as Ryan Potulny took a cross ice feed and put it past a sliding Anderson again on the power play. David Jones put the Avs back in the game 3 minutes later as he chipped the puck in an empty net as Nikolai Khabibulin was way out of the net trying to cover the puck. Another stupid too many men penalty lead to the Oilers 5th goal. Right after the penalty ended Andrew Cogliano tipped a rebound past Anderson to make it 5-3.
The play that changed the game came on an Avs power play in the 2nd period. The Avs were dominating the period at this point. The puck bounced over Khabibulin and landed right in front of the crease. Paul Stastny had an empty net and as he batted at it, Jason Strudwick got his stick on the puck right after Stastny hit it to force it to miss the empty net. If Stastny gets that one, it's a 3-3 game and a very different game.
Craig Anderson didn't look like his usual self. He made some big stops but looked as though he couldn't find the puck as well as he normally does and looked uncomfortable sliding side to side. TJ Hensick was inserted into the lineup after warm ups because Milan Hejduk hurt his back and was unable to play.
Performer of the night goes to Paul Stastny. He skated hard and again was solid in all three zones. He got his usual 2 points at home as he assisted on Hensick and Jones' goals.
Underperformer of the night goes to the entire Avs PK. They allowed 4 goals on 7 opportunities. They weren't aggressive on the kill and didn't get sticks in the passing lanes.
Three Stars
3. P. Stastny
2. D. Penner
1. R. Potulny
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