EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Oilers coach Todd McLellan is more interested in getting wins than the overall entertainment value of a game.
Andrej Sekera scored 2:47 into overtime, Cam Talbot made 29 saves for his first shutout of the season, and Edmonton beat the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 Monday night.
''It probably wasn't the most enjoyable game to watch,'' McLellan said. ''It was a chess match. It was tight-checking both ways without many opportunities. We're going to have games like that.''
On the winning goal, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got the puck to Sekera, who was able to send a one-handed slash of his own rebound through Ward's legs.
''When you have the chance you shoot it, I shot the puck, followed the rebound and it went in,'' Sekera said. ''I just try to play a good game every game, no matter who I play against. It was fortunate to score against my former team, because this is my new team and I am happy for it.''
The Oilers won their second straight overall and ninth of their last 11 at home.
''The win is the most important thing, the shutout is just the bonus,'' Talbot said. ''It means a lot to get these two points tonight and to build some momentum in our own rink again like we did before. Just the way the team has been playing in our own end, it's a confidence boost for everyone.''
Cam Ward finished with 26 saves for Carolina, which lost its second straight.
''I don't think they got our best game, but we got a point and we've got to take that and come out with a better effort against Vancouver,'' Carolina forward Eric Staal said. ''It's a big stretch for our team, a good chunk of hockey games that we want to get points and get wins. It's tough to let this one go right now.''
The Hurricanes had the best chance in the scoreless first period as Jordan Staal rang a shot of the post with five minutes left.
The Hurricanes had nine shots in the opening frame on Talbot to six by Edmonton.
Carolina continued to set the pace in the second period, but Justin Faulk missed a wide-open net with six minutes left in the second period to keep the game scoreless.
Both goalies stood their ground through the third period as well.
NOTES: It was the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. Carolina won the first contest 4-1 at home on Nov. 25. ... Out with injuries for Edmonton were Connor McDavid (collarbone), Nail Yakupov (ankle), Oscar Klefbom (finger), Andrew Ference (undisclosed) and Iiro Pakarinen (upper body). ... Brock McGinn was called up from Carolina's AHL team in Charlotte for the game, taking the place of injured forward Phillip Di Giuseppe (upper body). Also out for the Hurricanes were James Wisniewski (knee) and Nathan Gerbe (lower body).
