Steve Staios News

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Niklas Backstrom continued his mastery of the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night, stopping 30 shots in the Minnesota Wild's 3-1 victory.

Edmonton Oilers Jeff Deslauriers robs Washington Capitals Alexander Semin as Sheldon Souray watches during first period NHL action at Rexall Place, December 19, 2009.

Not once, not twice, but three times in this homestand the Edmonton Oilers have awaited a weary foe.

Barret Jackman, right, of the St. Louis Blues drags down Oilers' Sam Gagner, left, in the first period of a game on Dec.

Watching his Oilers play, Pat Quinn must feel like one of those helpless drones who park themselves in front of a slot machine all day.

Alex Ovechkin scored two of Washington's four goals in the third period, as the Capitals recorded a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Edmonton.

As match-ups go, the suddenly struggling Edmonton Oilers couldn't find a less favourable one than Saturday's showdown against the Washington Capitals if they tried.

Two nights after the Edmonton Oilers let a game slip away to the opportunistic Los Angeles Kings, they stumbled to a 6-3 loss Thursday to the Nashville Predators.

An NHL tough guy isn't necessarily someone who goes out and beats the snot out of an opponent every night.

Raitis Ivanans of the Kings, left, fights with Jean-Francois Jacques in a 3-2 victory over the Oilers on Tuesday night.

The two clubs are tied for ninth in the West at 54 points, but Colorado has played one fewer game.

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Steve Staios and goalie Jeff Deslauriers defend their net against Detroit Red Wings leftwinger Tomas Holmstrom during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Detroit, Michigan Dec.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn will have options tonight when he puts his forward lines together for the contest against the Detroit Red Wings.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock confirmed that Brian Rafalski would miss tonight's game with a sore back at Detroit's morning skate, stating that call-up Jakub Kindl can expect to receive some power play time against the Edmonton Oilers , and the Oilers updated their changing lineup after they took a spin on Joe Louis's ice, as noted by the Edmonton ...

The Vancouver Canucks scored early and often Saturday at GM Place against the Edmonton Oilers.

Oiler Dustin Penner scores on Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov as the Edmonton Oilers play the San Jose Sharks at Rexall Place in Edmonton, November 27, 2009.

The challenge for the Edmonton Oilers heading into a five-game road trip isn't as much about climbing into a playoff spot as it is about digging out of the NHL basement.

Sharks' Joe Pavelski scores the overtime shootout winning goal against the Oilers' on Friday night.

One of the threads linking Edmonton Oilers' Ethan Moreau to the "C'' now stitched on his jersey winds back to the last regular-season game he played.

It's never good to witness a teammate get drilled from behind. It's even worse when that teammate happens to be one of your best offensive players.