Oilers 5, Capitals 2
The Skinny: The Caps had the second-best home record in the NHL with an 18-2-1 record at the Verizon Center, but the opportunistic Oilers made it four wins in their last six road games with five goals on just 23 shots, including Erik Cole’s first hat trick as an Oiler.
The Quote: “It’s like every kid’s dream,” said Steve MacIntyre, who scored his first NHL goal in his 13th game to give Edmonton a 1-0 lead. “It was an unbelievable feeling. I don’t score a whole lot.”
The Big Play: It was already 2-0 for the Oilers when Gilbert Brule took a pass from Kyle Brodziak, cut to the net and tucked a backhand high past Jose Theodore for a three-goal lead 2:15 into the second period.
Netminders Not Close: Theodore had a tough night in the nets for the Capitals, as the Oilers 3-0 lead was built on just 10 shots. Not so Dwayne Roloson, who made 34 saves in his seventh straight start.
Nice Hands: MacIntryre, a hulking 28-year-old rookie in the lineup for his fists and not his soft hands, scored on a screened snapshot to put the Oilers on the board first at 12:59 of the first period.
Home Alone: Robert Nilsson (concussion) didn’t make the trip east with the Oilers, but leading scorer Ales Hemsky, who has missed seven games with a concussion, is with the team and is listed as day-to-day.
History: Before this game, the Oilers hadn’t won in Washington since Kevin Lowe was in the lineup. That was a 3-1 decision back on Jan. 26, 1997. The Oilers were 0-5-0-1 since then.
The Next Game: The Oilers are in Minnesota tomorrow to take on the Wild.
