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 For the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday was yet another evening that
ended with only a moral victory to show for their efforts.
Left winger Matt Beleskey and center Ryan Kesler scored goals as the
Ducks defeated the Oilers 2-1 at Honda Center for their fifth win in
a row.
Anaheim continued its recent dominance over Edmonton with the
victory, improving to 18-3-1 in the past 22 meetings. The win was
the Ducks' fifth straight at home as they continue to have the
league's best point total with 43 (19-6-5).
Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen made 21 saves to improve his
record to 15-4-4.
The win was Anaheim's 12th this season by one-goal margin, a
testament to the organization's depth. The Ducks have not won a game
by more than one goal since Oct. 24, but they are 5-0 in December.
"There are a lot of good players on this team, and experience makes
them better," Kesler said. "When someone goes down, it's an
opportunity for the next guy. We have overcome a lot, including the
mumps."
Anaheim led 2-0 after two periods, but Edmonton center Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins halved the deficit with an unassisted goal in the
first minute of the third. Winger Taylor Hall forced a turnover by
Ducks defenseman Josh Manson deep in the Anaheim zone, and
Nugent-Hopkins' snap shot beat Andersen for his seventh goal of the
season.
The Oilers (7-17-5) tried to carry the play in the final 10 minutes,
but two late penalties by defenseman Jeff Petry and Hall prevented
them from any producing consistent offensive pressure on the Anaheim
net. Edmonton was unable to gain possession in the final minute of
the game due to a strong Anaheim forecheck and fatigue.
"We needed to get more traffic in front of their goalie today,"
Oilers goaltender Viktor Fasth said. "Andersen played good, but we
didn't make it hard enough on him."
As the losses pile up for Edmonton, the frustration grows in the
locker room. Trade winds have swirled around the team since opening
night, and the Oilers' last-place standing is sapping any confidence
the young team had at the season's start.
"It's frustrating for everyone," Edmonton coach Dallas Eakins said.
"We have some guys that have proven they can put the puck in the
net. For whatever reason, we're just having trouble getting it in
there right now. It's something you have to be extremely patient
for."
The Ducks opened the scoring on Beleskey's power-play goal at 8:59
of the first period. Beleskey took a feed from right winger Kyle
Palmieri and beat Fasth with a snap shot from the slot. The goal was
Beleskey's 14th of the season, tying him for the team lead with
injured right winger Corey Perry.
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"I don't know if Matt can get to 30 goals this season, but he has
had a great start," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "The one thing
about Matt is that he has a great shot, and he's finally figuring
out how to use it."
Edmonton stayed within a goal after 20 minutes due to the fine
goaltending of Fasth. He faced 15 Anaheim shots in the opening
frame, numerous of them from close in, en route to stopping 32 in
the game
Kesler extended the Anaheim lead with his 10th goal of the season at
10:26 of the middle frame. Kesler took a long lead pass from
defenseman Hampus Lindholm after getting behind the Edmonton winger
Taylor Hall, and he beat Fasth to his right with a wrist shot.
Edmonton lost its second straight after breaking an 11-game losing
streak with a win Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.
NOTES: Edmonton scratched D Keith Aulie, C Boyd Gordon and C Jesse
Joensuu. ... Oilers D Brandon Davidson made his NHL debut. The
23-year-old native of Lethbridge, Alberta, was the Oilers'
sixth-round selection in the 2010 draft. ... The teams will conclude
the home-and-home series Friday in Edmonton. ... Anaheim did not
dress RW Chris Wagner and D Colby Robak. ... Anaheim inked G Ilya
Bryzgalov to a one-year deal Tuesday. The 34-year-old netminder
returns for his second stint in Southern California for a reported
$2.88 million prorated contract. Injuries to G Jason LaBarbera and G
John Gibson created the need for a veteran goaltender. ... The Ducks
confirmed LW Dany Heatley had groin surgery last month. Heatley
signed a one-year contract in July and is on Injured Reserve,
missing his 13th straight game with the ailment. Ducks coach Bruce
Boudreau suggested that Heatley will join the team on their upcoming
road trip.
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