Oilers extinguish Flames with dominant 6-1 win

The Oilers celebrate a goal during second period action between Edmonton & Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome on Feb. 21, 2012. The Oilers won the game 6-1.

Coming in, the Oilers hadn't won at the Saddledome since Oct. 17, 2008. But a 17-shot, four-goal second period propelled the Oilers to a commanding 5-1 lead that would hold up throughout, as the visitors cruised to the win over the Flames on Monday night in Calgary.

Jordan Eberle got the ball rolling in the opening period, while Ales Hemsky, Eric Belanger, Sam Gagner and Ryan Smyth all cashed in the second. Taylor Hall added another late to put some salt into their opponent's wound.

FIRST PERIOD

Just over a minute into the game, Ryan Whitney delivered a well-placed pass up to Taylor Hall, which sprung No. 4 on a breakaway. His backhand attempt, however, was stopped by Miikka Kiprusoff's left leg with a quick post-to-post motion.

With 13:17 to play in the period, the home side was given an equally as stunning scoring chance when the puck pinballed into the slot, where a wide-open Alex Tanguay ripped a quick shot on goal. Devan Dubnykstood tall, flashing the leather and denying the sniper with a sure-handed glove save.

Dubnyk's glove couldn't help him out moments later, mind you. With long-range bullet from the point, Scott Hannan put Calgary up 1-0 at 9:12 as his slapper caught a piece of No. 40's catcher, but not enough as it dribbled across the line.

Ladislav Smid was assessed a delay of game (puck over the glass) minor at 11:35. Calgary's 16.9-percent power-play was unable to direct anything on goal, however, as the game remained in a 1-0 score.

The man-advantage turned seconds later as Mark Giordano was charged with hooking Ryan Smyth, putting the Oilers' fourth-ranked PP to work. Much like the Flames' attempt, it too was squandered as the one-goal disadvantage carried into the period's waning moments.

With the visitors pressing late, the tying goal was scored. Corey Potter's point shot was directed en route, allowing Jordan Eberle to pounce and shoot on the rebound. His initial shot was stopped, but he stayed with it and scooped the rebound upstairs with a tricky backhand to even the score, 1-1 at 18:48.

Through 20 minutes, the score remained 1-1 as the Oilers held a 17-7 advantage in shots.

SECOND PERIOD

Edmonton continued to dominant the shot clock, extended to a 26-7 advantage early.

Breaking in on a partial odd-man rush, Taylor Hall fed a beautiful cross-ice pass to Ales Hemsky at the doorstep. No. 83 made no mistake, redirecting the puck past the Flames netminder for the goal at 8:09.

At 12:21, the Oilers broke in on another 2-on-1 opportunity, as Ben Eagerrifled a shot on Kiprusoff. The initial attempt was stopped, but the rebound popped into the slot where an awaiting Eric Belangerhammered it into the back of the gaping cage -- his third of the season on the Oilers' 27th shot.

The visitors' dominance continued 30 seconds later when a goalmouth scramble allowed Sam Gagner to jump on a loose puck and lift it over the goalie to make it 4-1. Eberle notched his second point of the night with the goal's primary assist.

As the Oilers extended to a three-goal advantage, they also established even greater control of the shot clock with a 30-9 lead.

With 1:04 to play in the period, the Oilers cashed another. On a rarely seen 4-on-2 rush, Jeff Petry worked the Flames D man before dishing to Gagner. No. 89 curled and placed a backhand pass to Smyth at the doorstep, who stepped up and tapped the puck into the net from an extremely sharp angle, making it 5-1.

THIRD PERIOD

Henrik Karlsson came in to replace Kiprusoff to start the period.

The Oilers continued to dominant their opponent with several extended sequences in the Flames' end, hemming them in and applying numerous scoring chances. While no goals were scored, time was consistently eaten in the Oilers' unrelenting attack.

The Oilers went back to the power-play late when Mark Giordano was charged with holding at 15:37. Late in the advantage, Taylor Hall raced in and pounced on the puck at the bottom of the circle, snapping a half-slapper past Karlsson for the 6-1 goal.

As the clock ticked down, the Oilers cruised to five-goal win with ease, ending their long drought without a win at the Saddledome (Oct. 17, 2008).