Oilers vs Bluejackets

The Bluejackets are in town tonight in a big game before the all-star break. The Oilers are tied for the 8th playoff spot with Minnesota but a win tonight could vault them into a tie for 5th with Anaheim and Vancouver. Yes, the west (as usual) is that frickin' tight so this is such a big game. A loss does not mean they are out of it but we'd sure like to see them make things a bit easier on themselves. Like everyone else, I'm tired of the Oilers taking the bumpier road. Get on the paved road boys!!!!

Hemsky returned on Sunday in the game against Phoenix. First, what a great night for Glenn Anderson and his sweater retirement ceremony. It took way too long for that man to get into the Hall of Fame. I believe many of the Oilers were sporting cheesy 'staches in honor of him. They were some of the ugliest 'staches in the history of the 'stache! It was awesome!

Back to Hemsky, he made his return on Sunday and damn, what a game from our star player. He scored 2 goals, one was another highlight reel goal. Moreau got a hat trick (no, that is not an error)....first of his career. But it was Hemsky who was the game-breaker. Everytime he was on the ice, he made something happen. He rejuvenated his linemates, and Penner had one of his best games in weeks, maybe months. He was tough on the boards, fighting for the puck and actually skating to keep up to the play. Wow, I wish he'd play like that every game.

This team is all about Hemsky. So watch out for Torres who returns to Edmonton for the first time tonight. We don't want to see a high hit that takes Hemmer out for another 10 game spell. He's too important!

Sabourin has been waived and will probably end up in the AHL.

Oilers vs Capitals

Edmonton travels to Washington to play the Caps tonight. Edmonton just finished a home stretch where they went 3-2. They didn't play great but got a few wins out of it. They now head into a town where they have not win since 1997. The only good news is that Hemsky is traveling and skating with the team. That is good news and maybe this means he could play on the road trip. That 'mild' concussion has kept Hemmer out since Dec 28th. The team has not looked good during that period so his return will be very welcome!

With such a mediocre stretch of hockey, the Oilers are only TWO points out of the 8th playoff spot. The Oilers play two teams they are either tied with or ahead of them in the standings on their three game road trip. After Washington, they head to Minnesota and Colorado. While we expect the Oilers to be in tough for a win against the Caps, they have a good chance against the Wild and Avs. These are two games they MUST win.

It'll be a tough game tonight, especially since they haven't won there in over a decade. Plus, they have the Ovechkin factor. If I were to ever like anyone else (I'm an Oiler-only fan), this is the guy I would go for. He's physical, gritty and wow he's got skill. But is anyone else getting annoyed with his goal celebrations yet? Celebrate great goals, yes. Celebrate game-tying or winning goals, yes. But going crazy for the 5th goal in a 5-1 win is ridiculous and not even borderline disrespectful. He's being an ass. Stop. You're getting into Crosby territory (with his fake-dying). If you do that again, I want Souray to one-punch you unconscious!

Since the Oilers haven't won in Washington since '97, let's go out on a limb and say they win. They almost got the W last year. Remember when it went into a shootout. I can't remember how long it went, but it was something like 10 players each?? Crazy.

GOILERS!

Update: Horcoff is fighting the flu and will be a game-time decision!

The sharks are circling....

Let us remember the good old days!