Oilers nearly blow 5-goal lead, escape with nail-biting victory over Flames

The Edmonton Oilers were on cruise control in their Saturday night game versus the rival Calgary Flames, holding a 6-1 lead in the third period. Then, things got interesting.

The Flames countered with four unanswered goals in the third period, closing the gap to 6-5. The near-comeback was highlighted by Sam Bennett's second goal of the game, in which he was able to walk in alone after defenseman Kris Russell blew a tire. Yes, the same Kris Russell who infamously scored on his own net to cost the Oilers Thursday's contest against the Maple Leafs.

However, in a bit of irony, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was credited for Edmonton's game-sealing seventh goal, which Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie put into his own net.

A blown victory for the Oilers would have capped a disastrous week, in what has been a nightmare of a season.