ST. LOUIS -- The home team looked out at an ocean of empty seats Sunday, but the Edmonton Oilers were the ones really singing the blues.
On a day when they announced a crowd of 9,214 at the Scotttrade Center in St.
Louis, but must have been counting feet and hands in a deserted, deathly-quiet building, the number that was never in dispute was the final score, 5-3 for the St. Louis Blues.
Anything but an afternoon delight for the Oilers, who only displayed:
*Sloppy work without the puck.
*Not nearly enough fire in their bellies.
Jussi Markkanen, playing his first game since 0ct. 26, might not get a callback for awhile.
He gave up a softie to Martin Rucinsky in the second period, and a quick backhand by Lee Stempniak while running out of room early in the third negated an Oiler comeback.
"His play was, uh, average," said Oilers coach Craig MacTavish, who gave Dwayne Roloson the day off after playing six straight, but will have him back at his usual post tonight in Denver to end the five-game, seven-day road trip that's seen the Oilers go 1-2-1, with a single point in Montreal for a shootout loss.
"I don't know if he lost his angle or what on Stempniak.
Maybe he was anticipating a pass."
Raffi Torres, in particular, had a terrible day. He played four shifts in the first period and was on for Bryce Salvador's goal.
He played two shifts in the second and was on for Jay McClement's goal.
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