Ryan Smyth scores game-winner as Edmonton Oilers overpower Nashville Predators 3-1 -NHL Match Update
Edmonton and Nashville were looking to snap their respective losing streaks on Monday, but it was the Oilers who captured the win against Predators at the sold-out Rexall Place on October 17, 2011, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as Ryan Smyth made the game-winner
during round-three to take the match, 3-1.
After winning their season opener, Edmonton lost three straight against Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks, but due to some great performances by top 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft pick, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Canadian club was not worried
about their situation, knowing they would win sooner or later.
"It was an all-around 60-minute game from everyone tonight", said Smyth. "We played physical and got pucks to the net and when you do that good things will happen".
Nashville on the other hand, has lost three consecutive matchups now and needs to bounce back, but it seems tough as they have some hard headed competition in the upcoming days.
"That was one of the worst losses I've ever been part of", Nashville defenseman, Shea Weber, said.
Remaining scoreless in the opening period, Sergei Kostitsyn scored the first goal of the match, putting Nashville up by one on an assist by Kevin Klein.
Edmonton’s top 2010 NHL Entry Draft pick, Taylor Hall potted his first of the season on the Nashville’s only penalty of the third period, giving them a 5-on-4 man advantage along with awarding Nugent-Hopkins his first NHL career assist.
Ryan Smyth made the tie-breaker nearly two minutes later, which later on would be known as the game-winner, followed by Ryan Jones with his match insuring goal with less than 40 seconds to play.
Having picked up three assists, Edmonton centre, Shawn Horcoff, was overjoyed with how his team managed to take control of the game.
"I was impressed with the effort we came out with in the third", Horcoff said. "We really took it to them. The power play goal got us the momentum and we were able to go from there. It was a really good win for us, and hopefully a momentum-builder going
forward".
Oilers will be playing their provincial rivals, Calgary Flames, in their next matchup on Tuesday, while Nashville Predators will continue their Canadian road trip against Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
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