NHL: Edmonton 3, Calgary 1

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EDMONTON, Alberta, March 17 (UPI) -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened and closed the scoring Friday in sending the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-1 victory over Calgary.

The Oilers, who have dropped out of playoff contention, handed the Flames a potentially damaging setback in their bid to extend their season. Calgary missed a chance to jump from a tie for ninth all the way to seventh place in the tightly bunched Western Conference standings.

Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle scored first-period goals for the Oilers and Nugent-Hopkins gave Edmonton a 3-1 lead midway through the third.

Devan Dubnyk made 18 saves and allowed only a second-period tally by Mark Giordano.

The victory was tempered by the loss of second-year forward Taylor Hall early in the game after he was knocked to the ice by a hard check from Calgary defenseman Cory Sarich.

Leland Irving gave up the three goals on 25 shots.