It was a night for Edmonton first round selections. After Andrew Cogliano put on a show in the first period, it was 2009 first overall selection Taylor Hall that won the game for the Oilers with a goal in the final minute of the game. It was Hall’s first ever game winning goal and came on a series of poor plays by Colorado.
After being outshot 13-9 by Edmonton, John-Michael Liles lost his stick chasing Jordan Aberle behind the net. He chose to pick it up quickly, but not before a beautiful pass to Hall sealed the game for the Oilers, their first home win in seven games.
Poor defensive play was the difference in the game, as Ryan Wilson was taken advantage of in the first period for two early goals. Liles made a mistake behind his own net that Edmonton was able to convert into the game winner.
Budaj withstood a full assault in the third period after not seeing much action in the first two periods of the game, but Colorado ran out of gas on their second road game in two nights. They remain tied for the division lead with Vancouver, and will face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at Pepsi Center.