Oil Notes: Linus Omark Returns In Style

Before playing in last night's game against the Abbotsford Heat, winger Linus Omark had been out of action since breaking his ankle back on Novemebr 16th. The talented Swede had not only missed the previous thirty-one games for Oklahoma City but also lost an opportunity to find his way back to Edmonton, due to a rash of injuries in January. That being said, all signs were pointing towards the diminutive winger looking forward to getting back in action and starting off fast, in hopes of earning a call up.

How Good Could Jordan Eberle Be?

While much of the national media surrounding the Edmonton Oilers youngsters generally revolves around Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, fans and media in this neck of the woods are well aware of what one Jordan Eberle brings to the table on a nightly basis. Most hockey fans, outside of this market, have turned a bit of a blind eye to the year that the talented winger has put together this season. Eberle has been in and out of the top ten in league scoring for much of the season and currently sits in ninth spot. He is eight points behind the NHL's leading scorer  Evgeni Malkin and yet you rarely hear anything about the second year Oiler. Despite the lack of fanfare from many in the hockey world, one thing is very clear...Jordan Eberle has moved himself into the equation, as one of the best young players in the league.

Game 54: Detroit 4 Edmonton 2

Despite another two goal performance from Sam Gagner, the Edmonton Oilers were thoroughly dominated on the road in falling 4-2 to the Detroit Red Wings. The Western Conference leaders have won eighteen straight at Joe Louis Arena are now two wins shy of equaling the NHL record of twenty consecutive home victories, that was set by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and later matched by the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers.  

Oil Notes: Nugent-Hopkins Out 7-10 Days, Paajarvi Recalled

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins latest injury, the Edmonton Oilers have decided to recall winger Magnus Paajarvi from Oklahoma City to take the spot of the rookie sensation. Initial indication is that Nugent-Hopkins is scheduled to be out of the lineup a week to ten days but whose kidding who. With the youngster already having missed over a month of action and the shoulder not being able to withstand nothing more then a solid jolt, I honestly can't see him missing anything less then a couple of weeks and it wouldn't surprise me in the least, if it ends up being a little more.

Game 53: Toronto 6 Edmonton 3

While last night's Oilers vs Leafs game was far from a masterpiece, it sure was fun too watch. Neither Edmonton or Toronto paid much attention to their own zones and hence fans were treated to wide open and mistake filled contest. In the end, the Leafs took full advantage of some brutal giveaways on route to a 6-3 victory and are now 5-0-1 in their past six games. The loss leaves Edmonton with a 1-15-1 mark in their past seventeen road games, as they continue to struggle mightily away from Rexall Place. To make matters worse, rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins left the game early in the third period after re-aggravating a left shoulder injury. 

High Flying Oilers Will Cause Maple Leafs Fits

When the Edmonton Oilers came through Toronto during the 2010-2011 season, it was the Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle show. The Oilers routed the Leafs 5-0 and left the hometown faithful booing their team off the Air Canada Centre ice. Fast forward just over a year and Edmonton is still struggling to find their way, while Toronto is in the middle of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. That being said, the visitors are 4-0-1 in the their last five and head to the NHL mecca playing their best hockey since early November and seem ready to take on a Leafs side that will have their hands full dealing with the high flying Oilers come Monday night.

Game 52: Edmonton 5 Detroit 4 (SO)

If only this could last forever!!! One would have to think, that was the thought process running through one Sam Gagner's head on Saturday night. After capturing the imagination of  the hockey world with his magical eight point performance on Thursday evening, Gagner managed to add another chapter to what has become a career changing couple of games.