Gagner scores 4 goals, piles up 8 points in blowout win

EDMONTON, Alberta – In a couple of months when the Blackhawks look back on how the Western Conference postseason race unfolded, they just might focus on their efforts against the Oilers this season.

The Hawks fell to Edmonton for the third time this season as Sam Gagner had a career night with eight points, including four goals, in leading the Oilers to a 8-4 victory Thursday night.

It was nearly as embarrassing as the Hawks’ last visit to Edmonton when the Oilers walloped them 9-2 on Nov. 19, but was certainly more damaging in the battle for positioning in the Central Division and conference as the Hawks fell for the fourth consecutive time.

In addition to Gagner’s career night, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle each had a goal and three assists.

Ryan Whitney had a goal and an assist and Cam Barker also scored as they chased Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford from the net in favor of Ray Emery.

Crawford had an awful night, yielding five goals on 28 shots to suffer the loss in the second of the Hawks’ season-long, nine-game road trip.

Patrick Sharp had two goals for the Hawks and Jamal Mayers and Dave Bolland also scored.

but it wasn’t nearly enough as Edmonton out-scored them 17-6 in two games at Rexall Place this season.

Gagner tied Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey for the most points in a game in Oilers history.

The Hawks fell to 29-16-7 overall this season and 0-1-1 on the trip.