Post-Game: Game #9 Oilers 2 Capitals 1

Scoring Summary
1st Period
WAS Karl Alzner 1 (Jeff Halpern, Jason Chimera) 5:36

EDM Taylor Hall 3 (PP) (Jordan Eberle, Corey Potter) 18:15

2nd Period
EDM Jordan Eberle 2 (PP) (Corey Potter, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) 12:44

3rd Period
None

Penalty Summary
1st Period
2:52 Edmonton cross checking - 2 min T. Peckham drawn by M. Hendricks
9:55 Edmonton hooking - 2 min A. Lander drawn by M. Hendricks
9:55 Washington diving - 2 min M. Hendricks drawn by A. Lander
15:23 Washington hooking - 2 min A. Semin drawn by T. Hall
16:23 Edmonton slashing - 2 min R. Smyth drawn by M. Johansson
16:37 Washington puck over glass - 2 min J. Carlson
17:43 Washington hooking - 2 min R. Hamrlik drawn by S. Horcoff

2nd Period
4:29 Washington hooking - 2 min J. Schultz drawn by M. Paajarvi
12:04 Washington hooking - 2 min T. Brouwer drawn by T. Gilbert
13:23 Washington closing hand on puck - 2 min M. Johansson
17:11 Washington slashing - 2 min M. Perreault drawn by R. Smyth
18:14 Washington holding the stick - 2 min K. Alzner drawn by J. Eberle

3rd Period
1:22 Edmonton roughing - 2 min L. Smid drawn by M. Johansson
14:59 Edmonton tripping - 2 min A. Lander drawn by T. Brouwer
18:54 Edmonton roughing - 2 min A. Sutton drawn by M. Hendricks

Shots On Goal - Oilers 19 Capitals 35

Game Notes:
- Kid line scoring + outstanding goaltending + battling everything else to a stalemate = WINS. Rinse and repeat. It seems to be a formula that is working for the Oilers early on this season. After a couple of hiccups against Calgary and Minnesota a couple of weeks back, they have now perfected it against the Rangers, Vancouver and now Washington. One thing the Oilers are much, much better at it battling. No freebies, no puck taken for granted, and just flat out making sure the puck is moving forward. All of that plus great goaltending, is the reason on why the Oilers have been so stingy this year. Washington was really bringing it early and late in the game, Edmonton turned them away at every turn. The Oilers have finally found something they can lay they hats on when things get out of sorts, its been awhile where they really excelled at some facet of the game, and early on the defense has been really good. On a side note, The first goal by Taylor Hall, was as fast as I have seen the puck being moved around since the '80s, fantastic puck movement and recognition on the power play, they looked really dangerous tonight. Washington is now 7-1, thanks to the Oilers. Another statement win for the Oilers.

Player of the Game:
- Nikolai Khabibulin. I just want everyone to know out there that I do grade goaltenders a little more harshly than players, but how can you not give Khabibulin the kudos he deserves after all he's been through as an Oiler. It's a feel good story and one that I hope keeps up, but even if it doesn't, I will reflect on this time in Khabibulin's tenure. The game was 2-1 for a long time, but he didn't break and got his team the 2 points they needed.

Goat of the Game:
- Theo Peckham. Looked rusty tonight. Had a tough time with Washington's rushes and gave up a ten beller to Alexander Ovechkin, that thankfully didn't amount ot much. It's a tough gig, to try and come in a replace Ryan Whitney, especially when you don't have the same toolset that Whitney brings. I'm secretly hoping Jeff Petry made the trek to Denver to play in the game tomorrow night. He's a more realistic replacement for Whitney than Peckham is.

Next Game: Friday October 28, 2011 vs. Avalanche @ Colorado on Sportsnet Oilers 7 PM MT.