Weight Back, Oilers Pound Wings

The Edmonton Oilers regained their leader and celebrated with a win over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Doug Weight played his first game since October and provided the Oilers with a psychological boost in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.

"I had a feeling I was going to be a little shy, a little nervous," Weight said. "But I initiated a couple of hits. "

"The guys played great for me. As is the case with a trade, they picked me up."

Weight, who missed 34 games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee Nov. 3, had 19 minutes of ice time. He took a regular shift on a line with left wing Ryan Smyth and right wing Bill Guerin and was also used on the power play.

Weight, the Oilers' scoring leader the past five seasons, injured his knee on Oct. 28 in a seemingly innocent collision against the boards in a game against the Washington Capitals.

"I think the guys created some great chances for me," Weight said. "I am tired. I felt a little sluggish."

"I'm glad it's over and I'm glad I wasn't a defensive liability."

Smyth, Rem Murray, Boyd Devereaux and Pat Falloon scored in the second period for the Oilers.

Steve Yzerman had a shorthanded goal for Detroit.

"They buried their chances," Detroit forward Brendan Shanahan said of the Oilers. "We missed open nets. As it turned out, the second period was where they scored their goals."

Shanahan hasn't scored in 12 games. His last goal was Dec. 23 against the Nashville Predators.

"I've never been through 10 or 12 games without a goal," he said.