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Two teams that shed significant parts on Wednesdays NHL trade deadline square off Thursday night as the Edmonton Oilers host the New York Islanders at Rexall Place. The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Edmonton did snap a three-game slide on Tuesday, besting the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Jordan Eberle had the eventual game-winner and Taylor Hall had two assists. Ben Scrivens, one day after signing a two-year extension with Edmonton, posted 34 saves. Hemsky scored twice in his final game with the Oilers. The Czech Republic native posted nine goals and 17 assists in 55 games with the Oilers this season. A first-round selection (13th overall) by the Oilers in 2001, Hemsky has recorded 142 goals and 335 assists for 477 points in 652 NHL games. "Its just a mix of feelings," said Hemsky. "Its hard to leave from here because Ive been here for so long and I was comfortable here. I knew the city and the team and everything. Its the only team Ive been playing for so its kind of weird. Like I said, Im ready for the challenge." Edmonton also traded defenseman Nick Schultz to the Columbus Blue Jets for an upcoming fifth-round draft pick. The Oilers lost a 3-2 decision in New York back on Oct. 17 and have dropped three of the last four meetings. The Islanders, though, have lost three straight in Edmonton, where they have not won since March 13, 2003. The Islanders take aim at their first two-game winning streak in well over a month on Thursday night. New York, aiming for a second straight trip to the playoffs, made a bold move back in October when it acquired winger Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres for forward Matt Moulson and two draft picks, including a first-round pick in 2014. The Islanders, though, have struggled for most of the season and it appeared as though they were going to be unable to re-sign Vanek before he hit unrestricted free agency this summer. Those factors all led to New York trading Vanek on Wednesday to the Montreal Canadiens. In return, the Isles got prospect Sebastian Collberg and will also get a 2014 second-round pick from the Habs if they make the playoffs. New York would also send Montreal a fifth-round selection should that happen. It marked the second trade in as many days for the Islanders, who on Tuesday shipped defenseman Andrew MacDonald to the Philadelphia Flyers prior to a game versus the hosting Winnipeg Jets. Vanek was a healthy scratch for that contest, but New York still managed a 3-2 victory in overtime to win for only the third time in its past 12 games. Michael Grabner had the winner in overtime, taking a lead pass from Cal Clutterbuck before racing past two Jets defenders. The speedy forward then beat Ondrej Pavelec with a forehand shot with 69 seconds left in the bonus frame. Colin McDonald and Anders Lee each scored in regulation, while Anders Nilsson made 36 saves in the victory. New York played most of the contest without forward Eric Boulton, who exited early with a hand injury. "I think that most guys know that this time of year is a little difficult, but I thought we were focused. We were ready to play obviously against a big strong hockey team thats playing real well," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said. Despite winning the opener of a four-game road trip, the Isles are 13 points back of a playoff spot. Cheap Adidas Stars Jerseys . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. Cheap Stars Jerseys Authentic . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night. http://www.cheapstarsjerseys.com/.A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result. Cheap Stars Jerseys .K. Subban and Matt Duchene will be the two skaters sitting out the teams opening game. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production.BARCELONA, Spain -- Alexis Sanchez scored a second-half goal as Barcelona and Lionel Messi struggled past Espanyol 1-0 Friday to remain top of the Spanish league. Neymar drew two defenders before guiding a pass through both pairs of legs across goal for Sanchez to tap in at the far post for the easy 68th-minute winner. Barcelona opened up a four-point advantage over Atletico Madrid, which plays Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, and a nine-point lead on Real Madrid. Madrid faces Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Messi is coming off one of his worst months of football, having not scored in the league since September. The Argentina international, who has been troubled by an injury, lacked rhythm and made uncharacteristic turnovers at the Camp Nou Stadium to start November goalless. Barcelona next plays against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. Messi did score at Milan nearly two weeks ago. While Barcelona laboured to another victory, it maintained its impressive start under new coach Gerardo Martino who has led the team to 34 of a possible 36 points. Messi missed time with a right leg injury and by the end of the match he looked like he was either frustrated or feelinng the effects of not being 100 per cent fit.dddddddddddd Barcelona dominated possession and controlled the tempo from the start with Espanyol goalkeeper Francisco Casilla diving to make a save from Sanchez early on, with the Chilean enjoying some of the hosts best opportunities throughout. Espanyol needed over half an hour to register its first shot on goal, and it was nearly ahead in the 36th but Victor Valdes got a leg to Victor Sanchezs low shot following a smart run onto Thievy Bifoumas clever touch. Andres Iniesta forced a save from Casilla with Dani Alves hitting the post in the ensuing scramble as Barcelona nearly went ahead just before halftime. Casilla was in top form as he got a hand to Messis well-guided header in the 54th. Messi then had two opportunities from free kicks but never came closer to scoring his first league goal since Sept. 28. Neymar nearly found the net moments before setting up Sanchez, and appealed for a foul when Casilla put him to the ground outside the area in the 76th with the empty net beckoning. Espanyol should have tested Valdes in the 85th but Manuel Lanzarote showed poor finishing as he weakly headed over goal. ' ' '