Oilers enjoying extra time on the ice

Edmonton's last five games have all featured extended playing time, including four straight shootout contests. The run began with an overtime loss to Dallas on December 10 before shootout wins over St. Louis, Detroit and Vancouver.

The four straight shootout tests set a new NHL record for most consecutive shootout games. The previous mark was three and had been set six times prior. The most recent occurrence came from Pittsburgh in March 4-8 last season.

The loss to Dallas on Tuesday also snapped Edmonton's seven-game winning streak in shootouts. That was four shy of Dallas' record winning burst of 11, set in 2005-06.

On the year, Edmonton is 10-2 in shootouts, going 5-1 at home and on the road as well.

Alex Hemsky and Sam Gagner have both been active when the Oilers get to that final, exciting frame. Both skaters have taken chances in 11 of the 12 shootouts this year. Hemsky has been the better of the two, just barely, going 5-for-11.

Gagner, the sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft, is 4-for-11.

Meanwhile, Shawn Horcoff has been the best producer by far. The forward is 4- for-5 in the shootout with two deciding goals. Hence, it is no surprise that he leads Edmonton with 16 goals, 18 assists and 34 points on the season.

Now the Oilers need to start doing better in regulation. Edmonton is last in the Northwest Division with 35 points (16-16-3), seven points back of co- leaders Minnesota and Vancouver heading into play on Friday.

However, the team is 6-2-2 over its last 10 games.