For the second game in a row, the Carolina Hurricanes scored a bunch of goals, but this time it was enough to win as they defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 5-3 on Wednesday night.
Five different players scored as the team finally earned new head coach Kirk Muller his first NHL victory.
The game started off on a negative note though as the home team would take a 1-0 lead on a controversial play.
The puck rolled under Cam Ward for what seemed like a couple of seconds, but there was no whistle from the refs. Eric Belanger ended up kicking the puck in the net for his first goal of the season. After a review, the goal stood.
But Jeff Skinner evened things up on a nice shot during a powerplay with just 38 seconds left in the opening period.
Jamie McBain gave the Canes a 2-1 lead with yet another powerplay goal early in the second, then Patrick Dwyer made it 3-1 a little bit later in the period.
Chad LaRose added a shorthanded goal 15:41 into the second, but Ben Eager scored also his first goal of the season, just nine seconds later to make it 4-2, Carolina.
Tuomo Ruutu knocked in Carolina's fifth and final goal just 3:43 into the third. The Oilers would score again and try some rough stuff later on, but the Canes held on the rest of the way to end a seven game losing streak.
Next up, they will face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night.
Game Notes:
- The Canes skated much better in this game and carried forward with some of the offensive firepower they displayed in Calgary in the third period the previous night.
- They outshot the Oilers 33-25, and according to our intern, out-chanced them 22-13.
- While the Canes could not take advantage of a two minute 5-on-3 chance in the third, they did have a decent night on the powerplay and officially went 2-6. They held the Oilers to 0-4, and of course got the shortie.
- Jeff Skinner led all skaters with eight shots on goal. He also drew a penalty shot, (he was stopped), and had three takeaways.
- Muller mixed the lines a bit in this one, first and foremost putting the Finns/Skinns line back together. Jamie McBain led all skaters with 23:09 of ice time. Eric Staal had 21 minutes even. Anthony Stewart played a game low 5:23.
- Once again, the team had a single digit hit total, (9), but they were physical in standing up for their teammates when it was warranted. Tim Gleason was given an instigator with just 2:09 left in the game when he jumped Andy Sutton for laying out Jeff Skinner with a solid, but legal hit. Sutton had previously boarded Alexei Ponikarovsky though and was taking liberties when he was on the ice.
- For the second game in a row, Tomas Kaberle had a multi-point night, (two assists). He was the only Carolina player in double digits.
Post game interviews at Canes PR.com.