Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team

Years after their Wayne Gretzky-Mark Messier heyday, the Edmonton Oilers had essentially found their lot in NHL life as a small-market team good enough to sneak into the playoffs on occasion but financially unable to compete for championships. That all changed after the lockout when the salary cap put every team on a level playing field.

Two security guards, earpieces in place, alertly scanned the area. Two lines of photographers and TV camera crews pointed their lenses toward the doorway of the posh ballroom at the city's swankiest hotel. A local TV reporter gave live updates. "They're here. He's in the building," the reporter informed a waiting audience.

For one day, the NHL can forget the labor uncertainty in its future and the half-empty arenas of its present and savor a romanticized return to its past.

No. 3 DALLAS vs. No. 6 EDMONTON Best of seven Wednesday at Dallas, 5 p.m. Saturday at Dallas, 1 p.m. Sunday at Edmonton, 5 p.m. Tuesday at Edmonton, 6 p.m. April 19 *at Dallas, 5 p.m. April 21 *at Edmonton, 4 p.m. April 23 *at Dallas, 4 p.m. * if necessary; all times Pacific THE BREAKDOWN * Team records: Dallas 48-24-8-2, Edmonton 39-28-12-3. * Season series: Dallas 3-1-0. * Coaches: DAL--Ken Hitchcock 43-27 (.614) in playoffs. EDM--Craig MacTavish, 0-0 (.000) in playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of a sale that will keep the NHL team in the Alberta capital, principals of the deal said Friday night. "We will continue to work throughout the weekend to finalize the agreement," said a joint statement from Oiler owner Peter Pocklington and prospective owner Leslie Alexander. "We are optimistic that we will have an announcement to make early next week."

The Mighty Ducks made a much-anticipated trade Friday, sending disgruntled defenseman Bobby Dollas some 20 paces down the hallway to the visiting Edmonton Oilers' dressing room at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. Defenseman Drew Bannister made the walk in the other direction, joining the Ducks a few hours before the game. Both players then made their debuts with their new teams in Edmonton's 5-1 victory.

Edmonton Coach Ron Low was willing to accept Sunday's loss. Grudgingly. Sort of. Maybe. OK, only because he had to. There were a few things, though, Low was ready to question about the Ducks' 6-4 victory in the Pond. Three five-on-three situations the Oilers couldn't overcome for starters. But also heavy on his mind was the goal that wasn't a goal.