LDN - Sports

Blackhawks slide past Oilers

[January 08, 2018] The Chicago Blackhawks received goals from four different players and goaltender Anton Forsberg turned aside 32 shots to record just his second win of the season in a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago.

Nick Schmaltz, Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad scored goals in the opening two periods and defenseman Jordan Oesterle scored against his former team to complete the win for the Blackhawks (20-15-16).

Darnell Nurse picked up his third goal of the season for the Oilers, who dropped to 18-22-3. Goaltender Cam Talbot made 25 saves in the loss.

It was the Blackhawks' second win in 10 days over the Oilers, who were outscored 9-2 in weekend losses to the Dallas Stars and Blackhawks to start a five-game road trip.

Playing in place of injured starter Corey Crawford, Forsberg improved to 2-5-3 in his first start since allowing five goals in a loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 29. He set the tone early by stopping Connor McDavid on a 2-on-1 with Leon Draisaitl.

Schmaltz scored on a backhand to give Chicago an early lead with his 10th goal of the season, tying his point total from last season with 28. DeBrincat followed with his 14th goal.

Nurse got the Oilers on the board when he deflected a Mike Cammallerri shot past Forsberg for his third goal, but the Blackhawks grabbed a 3-1 lead with 9.2 seconds remaining in the second period on Saad's 13th goal.

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Blackhawks goalie Anton Forsberg (31) makes a save on a shot from Edmonton Oilers defenseman Yohann Auvitu (81) during the third period at the United Center. Chicago won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Oesterle finished off Edmonton midway through the third period with his third goal of the season.

The Oilers have scored just four goals over their past five games. They have been shut out twice and scored just once on two occasions during the stretch.

--Field Level Media

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