Elias Lindholm must really like playing the Edmonton Oilers. The swedish winger had a hat trick and two assists in a 7-4 win over the Oilers at PNC Arena last March, and tonight he scored the game winning goal as the Carolina Hurricanes (8-10-4) defeated the Edmonton Oilers (7-14-1) at PNC arena.
Lindholm streaked into the Oilers’ zone on a two-on-one with defenseman Brett Pesce and zipped a wrist shot past Oilers goalie Anders Nilsson with a blazing release for his third goal of the season about halfway through the second period to put the Canes up 2-1, a lead they would not relinquish.
The goal was the second of two in a big second period for the Hurricanes, as they really took control of the game in the middle frame, really turning up the pressure on Nilsson with 12 shots in the period. Following Lindholm’s game winner, Jeff Skinner set up in the slot and redirected defenseman Justin Faulk’s point shot with his skate for his fifth of the season to put Carolina up 3-1.
Edmonton had a lot of jump early, getting several good chances and eventually drawing a penalty that would result in a 1-0 lead for them. With Faulk off for tripping, Oilers center Ryan Nugent Hopkins’ quick wrister from the faceoff circle was tipped in by winger Benoit Pouliot.
It looked like Edmonton would head to the intermission up 1-0, but Canes center Jordan Staal had other ideas. He spun around from behind the net looking to set up his brother Eric, but his centering pass deflected off Oilers defenseman Griffin Reinhart’s skate and through Nilsson’s pads for his fourth of the season to tie it up with 16 seconds left in the period.
Edmonton turned up the pressure a bit in the third period, firing 13 shots on goal, but Canes goalie Cam Ward was up to the task, keeping them off the scoreboard in the final frame. Ward was excellent all night, stopping 30 of 31 Oilers shots, making several big saves to earn first star honors in his seventh win of the season.
Canes winger Andrej Nestrasil put it to bed with Nilsson off for an extra attacker when he corralled a loose puck at the red line and fired it into the empty net for his second goal of the year to put Carolina up 4-1.
Faulk had two assists tonight, giving him points in seven straight games as he leads the team with 18 points in 22 games.
Next up for Carolina is the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center Friday night as the team will get its first look at 2015 second overall pick Jack Eichel.
