National Hockey League
Edmonton 4, Florida 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, January 18, 2016
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Referees: T.J. Luxmore, Dan O'Rourke
Linesmen: David Brisebois, John Grandt
Attendance: 14897

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers, who had not lost at home since Dec. 8, dropped a 4-2 decision to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at the BB&T Center.

Edmonton left winger Taylor Hall scored two goals and has 18 for the season. Right winger Teddy Purcell had the primary assist on both of Hall's goals.

After Florida had closed its deficit to 3-2, Purcell got the insurance goal with 1:28 left in the game after Florida goalie Al Montoya had started to head for the bench for an extra attacker. Montoya tried to retreat and made a diving attempt to no avail.

Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, making his first start since signing a three-year contract extension on Sunday, had 30 saves. It was the 11th start in the past 13 games for the 28-year-old Talbot.

Trailing 3-0, Florida scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the third period. Right winger Reilly Smith scored unassisted from the top of the right circle, and center Quinton Howden tapped in a goal in the crease on a great pass from left winger Shawn Thornton.

But it wasn't enough, and the Oilers (19-23-5), who are in last place in the Western Conference, snapped a seven-game road losing streak. Even with the win, the Oilers have the worst road record in the NHL (6-14-4).

Florida (26-15-5), which leads the Atlantic Division, had its franchise-record seven-game home winning streak broken.

Montoya, normally Florida's backup goalie, made his first start since Jan. 10, when he beat Edmonton 2-1. This time, though, Montoya allowed three goals on Edmonton's first eight shots on the net.

Edmonton scored on its first shot of the game. With 5:50 elapsed in the first period, Hall took a great pass from Purcell and scored on a breakaway, beating Montoya high to the stick side.

The Oilers made it 2-0 on a goal by center Jordan Eberle, his 11th of the season, with 2:08 left in the first period. Eberle was set up in front on an assist by center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Hall scored again, this time 4:19 into the second period, beating Montoya on a wrist shot for a 3-0 advantage.

NOTES: Panthers All-Star D Aaron Ekblad (concussion) missed his fourth consecutive game. ... Edmonton RW Matt Hendricks, who served a three-game suspension for the hit he put on Ekblad, returned to the lineup -- coincidentally -- against Florida. ... Panthers LW Shawn Thornton said he "agreed with the league -- it was a dirty hit" by Hendricks. And it took just 3:16 into the game before Panthers D Erik Gudbranson fought Hendricks. Gudbranson won the fight decisively, throwing about 10 shots in a row. ... Panthers C Dave Bolland (lower-body injury) sat out. Florida C Corbin Knight was a healthy scratch. ... Edmonton scratched D Brad Hunt, C Anton Lander and LW Lauri Korpikoski. ... Florida, which just came off a 3-2-1 trip, began a four-game homestand. The Chicago Blackhawks visit Friday. ... Edmonton played the opener of a three-game trip. The Oilers play at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Top Game Performances
 
Edmonton   Florida
Taylor Hall 3 Points Quinton Howden 1
Taylor Hall 2 Goals Quinton Howden 1
Teddy Purcell 2 Assists Brian Campbell 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Cameron Talbot .939 Save Percentage Al Montoya .833
Cameron Talbot 31 Saves Al Montoya 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Edmonton 24 4 0-1 4-4 13 33
Florida 33 2 0-4 1-1 7 30
Upcoming Games
  • Florida will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Panthers have a W/L % of .692 after a win and .400 after a loss.
  • Edmonton will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Oilers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .345 after a loss.