SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Facing a third-period deficit in a game crucial for Edmonton's playoff positioning was just the kind of situation the Oilers were thinking about when they acquired Milan Lucic last summer.
He delivered in a big way.
Lucic scored three goals in the third period and the Oilers took a big step toward claiming home-ice advantage in the first round of the postseason by beating the San Jose Sharks 4-2 Thursday night in a possible playoff preview.
"His tonight was tremendous," coach Todd McLellan said. "You throw the three goals out, even.