Lackluster in Edmonton

Oilers 3, Blue Jackets 0

Not surprisingly, the game between the two worst teams in the National Hockey League was not decided by skill. Instead, it was hard work that made the difference.

Edmonton, responding from a poor performance two days earlier, competed for 60 minutes as they blanked Columbus 3-0 on home ice.

The Oilers dominated the first period as they outshot the Blue Jackets 12-3 after 20 minutes of play. It was the beginning of an active night for Curtis Sanford who turned aside 24 of 26 shots in the game.

In the second period, Edmonton continued to put pucks on net. At 7:40 of the frame, Calder Trophy candidate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his 15^th goal of the season to make it 1-0.

One minute later, the Oilers put Columbus on a four-minute power play but the Blue Jackets could not capitalize with the man advantage.

Edmonton made it 2-0 before the second intermission with a power play goal from Taylor Hall at 19:55 of the period.

The Blue Jackets outshot the Oilers 9-3 in the third period, but they could not spoil the shutout.

An empty netter with less than two minutes remaining in the game secured the game for the Oilers.

Columbus looks ahead to Vancouver on Saturday for the second part of a three-game road swing.