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National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 3, Edmonton 1
When: 9:30 PM ET, Thursday, February 21, 2013
Where: Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Referees: Marc Joannette, Don VanMassenhoven
Linesmen: Lonnie Cameron, Brian Mach
Attendance: 16839


Wild 3, Oilers 1: Matt Cullen scored two goals and set up another as visiting Minnesota continued its road success against its Northwest Division rival.

Devin Setoguchi snapped a tie early in the third period and Niklas Backstrom made 27 saves for the Wild, who improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven visits to Edmonton.

Ryan Smyth scored on his 37th birthday and Devan Dubnyk stopped 25 shots for the Oilers, who fell to 1-3-0 on their season-high five-game homestand.

After a scoreless first period, Smyth gave Edmonton the lead at 12:26 of the second as he backhanded the puck into the net at the left post on a wraparound. Cullen forged a tie less than three minutes later, getting to a loose puck above the left faceoff circle and gaining a step on defenseman Mark Fistric before sliding a backhander between Dubnyk's pads.

Cullen helped put Minnesota ahead when he pounced on a turnover behind the net and backhanded the puck to Setoguchi, who beat Dubnyk from the doorstep at 2:20 of the third. The 36-year-old gave the Wild some breathing room with six minutes remaining as he put a wrist shot from the right circle inside the left post.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Backstrom improved to 23-3-1 lifetime against the Oilers. ... Minnesota RW Cal Clutterbuck was helped off the ice with 2:33 remaining in the third period after sustaining a knee-on-knee hit from Edmonton LW Taylor Hall, who received a five-minute major and game misconduct. ... The Oilers, who complete their homestand against Phoenix on Saturday before embarking on a nine-game road trip, fell to 1-3-2 in their last six at Rexall Place.


Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Edmonton
Matt Cullen 3 Points Ryan Smyth 1
Matt Cullen 2 Goals Ryan Smyth 1
Matt Cullen 1 Assists Eric Belanger 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Niklas Backstrom .964 Save Percentage Devan Dubnyk .893
Niklas Backstrom 27 Saves Devan Dubnyk 25
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 28 3 0-3 1-1 2 31
Edmonton 28 1 0-1 3-3 19 29
Upcoming Games
  • Edmonton will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Oilers have a W/L % of .167 after a win and .444 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Calgary. The Wild have a W/L % of .571 after a win and .375 after a loss.