Getzlaf's goal in 3rd period proves to be winner as Ducks edge Oilers
Ryan Getzlaf and the Anaheim Ducks hope they've found their way out of a recent funk.
Getzlaf scored the go-ahead goal with 7:13 remaining in the third period, and Anaheim beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Saturday for its second road win in two days.
"Any points right now are big," Getzlaf said. "Nobody is going to roll over and give you anything down the stretch. You have to earn it."
Francois Beauchemin also scored for the Ducks, who increased their comfortable lead in the Pacific Division. They have won back-to-back games at Calgary and Edmonton after dropping five of six overall.
"During that two-week stretch we did far too many hope passes into the front of the net," Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. "Our forwards have done a great job the last two nights and it has really changed the complexion of our team right now. I don't think we can be complacent. I think that is sort of what got us into that two-week stretch. We need to continue to get better."
Teddy Purcell had the goal for the Oilers, who have lost four of five. Edmonton was playing its ninth game in 15 days.
"I've been in this league for a little bit now and I don't remember ever feeling this tired," Purcell said. "I don't know if I'm not used to the West travel, but nine games in 15 days in seven different cities is pretty crazy."
It didn't take Anaheim long to get on the scoreboard. Beauchemin beat Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens with a power-play drive from the point just 45 seconds into the game.
It was Edmonton's turn for an early goal 28 seconds into the second period. Nail Yakupov sent a backhand pass in front to Purcell and he beat Anaheim goalie John Gibson, who finished with 26 saves.
Edmonton outshot Anaheim 16-15 through 40 minutes.
"It's unfortunate we didn't get the win, but to go into a couple of days off knowing that we put in a solid effort is better than losing like we did last night," Purcell said, referring to Friday's 4-0 loss to Minnesota.
Getzlaf broke the tie when he poked the puck loose from a scrum in front of the net and it caromed in off the skate of defender Justin Schultz. It was Getzlaf's 19th goal of the season.
"We've been trying to get to the net more aggressively," Getzlaf said. "We got a lucky bounce there at the end."
The Oilers had a late 2-on-1 chance, but the play was broken up by Lovejoy.
It was Anaheim's 25th victory in a one-goal game this season.
"It feels like we've played 30 games the last couple of weeks," said Edmonton's Jordan Eberle. "Guys were definitely tired. Even though we were at home here for the three, it was a quick three in four."
NOTES: The Ducks return home to play Detroit on Monday. ... The Oilers are off until Tuesday, when they visit Minnesota. ... Anaheim is 20-3-1 in its past 24 games against Edmonton. ... A pair of Ducks celebrated milestones: Corey Perry played his 700th NHL game, and Andrew Cogliano played his 600th. Cogliano, a former Oiler, is the league's iron man, having never missed a game due to injury in his career. ... Out with injuries for Edmonton were Tyler Pitlick (lacerated spleen), Taylor Hall (leg), Nikita Nikitin (shoulder), Viktor Fasth (knee), Anton Lander (shoulder) and Jeff Petry (ribs). The Ducks were missing Sami Vatanen (leg), Matt Beleskey (shoulder) and Frederik Andersen (neck).
