Oilers Slide Past Sharks

Bill Guerin will take team goals over his personal goal totals any time.

So reaching the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career took second place to the Edmonton Oilers' 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

"I'm really happy about it because it came in a win for the team," the seven-year veteran said after scoring two goals.

"The win is the most important thing," he said. "Now hopefully we can keep the momentum going. Nobody has to tell us we have to turn it up. We're professionals. We know we haven't been playing well, and haven't been up to par."

The Oilers have a two-game winning streak on home ice for the first time since November and are 3-2-1 with two games remaining in an eight-game homestand.

They have nine regular-season games left as they battle the Calgary Flames for the last playoff position in the conference. They started the day two points behind the Flames.

Chad Kilger, Mike Grier and Pat Falloon also scored for the Oilers. Joe Murphy and Jeff Friesen scored third-period, power-play goals for the Sharks, who are seventh in the Western Conference.

"We weren't as sharp as we were in the last two games," said San Jose center Vincent Damphousse. "We've got our fate in our own hands. But we gave Edmonton a chance to get back in the playoff race."

The Sharks, who began the day four points ahead of eighth-place Calgary, have nine games left.

"We're not in the playoffs, by any means," said San Jose forward Jeff Friesen. "We've got to play these guys from start to finish. We can't expect to play one period and win."

Guerin tied his career high when he scored his 29th goal on a power play at 7:20 of the third. Guerin then scored his 30th at 14:25 of the third after taking a pass from Rem urray at the blue line.

Goalie Tommy Salo made 16 saves and improved to 3-1-1 since joining Edmonton.

"I've been told a lot about Tommy Salo," Oilers coach Ron Low said. "I was informed that if we give him the lead we'll win the game."

Said Salo:

"We've played solid defense since I've been here. It's nice to play for a team and have a chance to win."

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