EDMONTON, Alberta, March 3 (UPI) -- Jordan Eberle gave Edmonton a three-goal lead early in the second period Thursday and the Oilers fought off Columbus 4-2.
The Blue Jackets, a team needing wins to improve their playoff hopes, suffered a tough loss to the last-place club in the Western Conference. Columbus is five points out of a playoff position and must climb over four teams to have a shot at the post-season.
Sam Gagner and Taylor Hall scored for Edmonton in the first period and Eberle put the Oilers in front 3-0 just 14 seconds into the middle stanza.
Columbus came back on goals from Matt Calvert in the second and Scottie Upshall in the third but its hopes of forcing overtime ended when Andrew Cogliano scored into an empty net with 12 seconds to play.
Steve Mason gave up the first three Edmonton goals on 14 shots before being removed in favor of Mathieu Garon.
Devan Dubnyk got the win with 26 saves.
