Lucic, McDavid guide Oilers past Blues
EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers came up big in a measuring stick game Thursday, scoring a 3-1 victory over their long-time nemesis from St. Louis.
Putting their new lineup to the test against an opponent that's beaten them in nine of the last 10 meetings, the Oilers beat the Blues at their own game, grinding out a 60-minute chess match highlighted by a goaltending duel between Edmonton's Cam Talbot and St. Louis' Jake Allen.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid ended a two-game scoring drought 36 seconds into the third period when he set up left winger Milan Lucic to give the Oilers 2-1 lead. McDavid then iced the game with an empty netter in the final minute.
The Blues, who came into the game as one of only two teams in the Western Conference yet to lose a game in regulation, fell to 3-1-1 while the Oilers won their second in a row to improve to 4-1-0.
It was a very tight checking and scoreless first period, with both teams feeling each other out like they were early in a prize fight. They loosened up in the second, though, with former Oilers No. 1 overall draft pick Nail Yakupov scoring 3:37 into the first period in his first game back in Edmonton.
Yakupov, who received a nice tribute on the scoreboard in the first period, jumped on a loose puck in the slot and sifted it over the blocker of Oilers goalie Cam Talbot.
The lead didn't last long, however, before Tyler Pitlick, Edmonton's second round choice in 2010, scored his third of the season at 6:22. He had to wait out a video replay, but mission control determined the puck was already in the net before he steamrolled Blues goalie Allen.
Yakupov put a great deke on Talbot midway through the third period, but the potential tying goal rang off the post.
The Oilers are now off to Winnipeg to take on the Jets Sunday in the Heritage Classic outdoor game.
NOTES: St. Louis C Jori Lehtera (upper-body injury) was placed on the injured reserve list Wednesday. He suffered the injury Saturday against the New York Rangers. ... Blues LW Jaden Schwartz returned Thursday after missing three weeks with an elbow injury. C Kyle Brodziak is also back after missing St. Louis' last game with an upper body injury. ... Former Oiler RW Nail Yakupov now has two goals in five games since being traded to the Blues for a third round draft pick. If he gets 15 this year, the pick becomes a second rounder. ... Oilers C Connor McDavid was coming off of back-to-back, zero-point games after registering consecutive three-point contests to open the season. ... Edmonton G Cam Talbot started the game after spending most of the last two days at the hospital with his wife Kelly, who gave birth to twins. He has started all five games for the Oilers.