Rare Visit
The Edmonton Oilers can breathe a little easier after snapping a five-game losing streak. To build off that, they’ll have to win in a city they rarely visit, but one where they have enjoyed some recent success.
On Sunday, the Oilers go for their fourth straight win over the Philadelphia Flyers who will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory after a six-game skid to start the season.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Philadelphia -170 money line favorites (NHL Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 5.5 goals (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 64% of bets for this game have been placed on Philadelphia -170 (View NHL Bet Percentages).
Edmonton (5-4-1) earned its first win since Oct. 18 by beating Carolina 3-1 on Saturday. Ethan Moreau, who had one goal this season coming in, scored twice in the final 88 seconds to snap a 1-1 tie.
"We got some really fortunate goals," Moreau said. "We just had the philosophy that if we kept doing things right, we’d be successful. This has been a process. We’ve lost a few games we’ve played well in and finally tonight we got a win."
Shawn Horcoff – who assisted on Moreau’s second tally – also scored, and Dwayne Roloson made 27 of his 33 saves over the final 40 minutes. It was only the Oilers’ second regular-season win in North Carolina since the Hurricanes moved there from Hartford a decade ago.
"We were here to win and get two points and get ourselves back on track," said Edmonton’s Erik Cole after facing his former team for the first time.
Now, Edmonton will be looking to continue its winning streak in Philadelphia. After a 2-0 loss in 2000, the Oilers have outscored the Flyers 9-4 in their next three contests.
In the most recent game in 2005, Moreau had two shorthanded goals against Antero Niittymaki in a 3-2 win. Starting in 2006, the Oilers’ captain has missed 143 games due to various injuries, and was limited to five goals in 25 contests last season but now appears healthy again.
Philadelphia gave up 28 goals during its 0-3-3 start to 2008-09, but has surrendered only seven while winning four in a row. On Thursday, Martin Biron stopped 34 shots, and Jeff Carter scored his second goal 4:37 into overtime of a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders.
"I thought Marty was the reason we won the hockey game tonight," coach John Stevens told the Flyers’ official Web site.
Biron has been in goal for three games during Philadelphia’s current winning streak, recording a 2.23 goals-against average. Niittymaki picked up the other victory, making 24 saves for his first shutout of the season in a 7-0 rout of Atlanta on Tuesday.
But neither Biron nor Niittymaki have beaten the Oilers. In five appearances, including three starts, Biron is 0-4-0 with a 3.38 GAA while Niittymaki hasn’t faced them since losing in 2005.
Carter, who leads Philadelphia (4-3-3) with eight goals this season, has scored six and added three assists in a six-game points streak.
He’s part of a resurgent offense that includes Mike Knuble, who has five goals and an assist over the last four games. Simon Gagne and Mike Richards are tied with seven points each during the run.
Knuble will be looking to notch an assist in a sixth straight game against the Oilers.
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