Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) – Nail Yakupov netted the winner late in the
second period and Ben Scrivens made 13 saves as Edmonton escaped New Jersey
with a 2-1 victory at Prudential Center.
Oscar Klefbom also scored and Jordan Eberle assisted on both goals for the
Oilers, who had opened up their six-game road trip with a loss in Toronto on
Saturday.
Patrik Elias recorded the sole marker for the Devils, losers of two in a row
following three straight wins. Cory Schneider halted 22 pucks in defeat.
“I thought we could’ve competed a little more than we did,” said Devils
interim head coach Lou Lamoriello.
Yakupov took a cross-ice pass from Eberle and ripped a shot by Schneider from
the right circle on a power play with 7:15 left in the second period.
Schneider was called to the bench for an extra skater with 1:25 left in
regulation, and though New Jersey only produced five shots on goal in the
third, one which didn’t make it to the net was the most crucial.
Mike Cammalleri faced an open net but missed a redirect at the left post when
the puck skittered over his stick as the clock ticked down towards 20 seconds
to play.
“I think that was a really tough game, but we played positively, were
aggressive and played with confidence in our zone,” Yakupov said. “In the
third we made the simple plays with the puck and our goalkeeper played well.”
Elias gave the hosts a lead just over five minutes into the opening period,
then Klefbom evened the score 36 seconds prior to intermission with a shot off
the far post from the left wing.
Game Notes
The Oilers won in north Jersey for just the second time in their last six
visits since 2004 … Edmonton improved to 10-9-9 this season in games decided
by one goal … Scrivens’ 13 saves were the fewest he’s needed to make to
register a win this season, eclipsing the 18 stops in a 3-2 win over Buffalo
on Jan. 29.
