Nikolai Khabibulin draws starting assignment in Edmonton Oilers' net tonight against L.A. Kings
 

Nikolai Khabibulin draws starting assignment in Edmonton Oilers' net tonight against L.A. Kings

 

 
Edmonton JournalFebruary 19, 2013
 
 
 
Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, watches the puck bounce out of the net after scoring against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35), of Russia, and defenseman Ladislav Smid (5), of Czechoslovakia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
 

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, watches the puck bounce out of the net after scoring against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35), of Russia, and defenseman Ladislav Smid (5), of Czechoslovakia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers are giving goalie Nikolai Khabibulin his second start of the NHL season tonight against the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

It'll be the first home start for Khabibulin, 40, who got the call to play in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings Feb. 9 and who played a solid two periods Saturday night in relief of Devan Dubnyk during a comeback 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

“Kudos to Nikolai Khabibulin ... he was our leader down the stretch," Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger said following the win over the Avs. "He gave our team so much energy with what he brought.”

Khabibulin, who had hip surgery last spring,  is in the final year of a four-year, $US$15-million contract with the Oilers. He has played 785 regular-season games and another 72 in the playoffs over his 17-season NHL career.

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Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, watches the puck bounce out of the net after scoring against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35), of Russia, and defenseman Ladislav Smid (5), of Czechoslovakia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
 

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, watches the puck bounce out of the net after scoring against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35), of Russia, and defenseman Ladislav Smid (5), of Czechoslovakia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scoreboard

5/19/2013 4:56:04 AM
 
Final123otscore
 
Detroit
022-4
Chicago
100-1
 
    Final123otscore
     
    San Jose
    		10002
    Los Angeles
    		10001
     
       
       

       
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