Oilers keep rolling with 2-0 win over Canucks
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Connor McDavid scored on a second-period breakaway and goaltender Cam Talbot stopped 26 shots for the shutout as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 on Friday night to extend their winning streak to five games.
Milan Lucic, who also had an assist, scored into an empty net with 1:20 left in the third period.
Edmonton has won seven of eight games this season. Last year, it took the Oilers 20 games to register their seventh victory.
McDavid also extended his points streak to four games, collecting six points from two goals and four assists.
The shutout was the Talbot's second of the season and 13th of his career. It was his eighth consecutive start.
It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Canucks (4-3-1), who started the season with four straight wins. It also the second consecutive game Vancouver was shut out.
Goaltender Ryan Miller made 25 stops for the Canucks.
McDavid opened the scoring on a pretty play at 11:31 of the second period.
Lucic sprung the Oilers captain with a long pass up the middle. McDavid used his speed to slice between Canucks defensemen Erik Gudbranson and Ben Hutton, then beat Miller on a forehand shot through the five hole.
The Oilers used their speed and strength to control most of the first two periods but still needed Talbot to come up with some big saves.
In the second period, Hutton dished a cross-ice pass to Markus Granlund, who was streaking alone down the left side. He took a shot that Talbot gloved.
The first period was scoreless, but the Canucks had two good chances.
During a power play, defenseman Philip Larsen was open in the slot, but Talbot was able to block the shot.
Earlier, Vancouver had a three-on-one breakaway, but Talbot handled Sven Baertschi's shot.
The Canucks have scored one first-period goal all season.
NOTES: The Canucks placed D Chris Tanev (lower body) on injured reserve. ... Rookie D Troy Stetcher started the game paired with D Alex Edler. ... The Canucks have played eight games in 14 days. ... Vancouver called up LW Mike Zalewski from the AHL Utica Comets, but he did not dress for the game. ... The Canucks play the Washington Capitals on Saturday night at Rogers Arena. ... Edmonton is off to its best start since 1985. ... Edmonton's healthy scratches were LW Anton Slepyshev and D Mathew Benning. ... Oilers G Cam Talbot stopped 130 of 134 shots in wins over Carolina, St. Louis, Winnipeg and Washington. ... C Anton Lander played his 200th NHL game. ... Edmonton's injury list includes LW Drake Caggiula (hip), LW Matt Hendricks (lower body), RW Iiro Pakarinen (knee), D Brandon Davidson (upper body) and D Mark Fayne (lower body). ... The Oilers return home to play the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.