Game 57: Colorado 3 Edmonton 1

During last night's game at Rexall Place, some fans had placed a sign up against the glass that read "we drove 10 hours to our first Oilers game"... all I could think was, those poor people. If only they had made that trip forty-eight hours earlier. On Wednesday night, we were all treated to what was arguably the most entertaining game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately for those who made that ten hour trek, they witnessed what was one of the most uninspiring performances of the season, in watching the Oilers fall 3-1 to the visiting Colorado Avalanche. Forward Ryan O'Reilly led the way with three assists and goaltender Semyon Varlamov made twenty-six saves, moving the Avs within three points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Hemsky's Departure Would Make Room For Shane Doan

Yesterday morning, Edmonton Oilers Blogger Kevin Jamieson https://twitter.com/#%21/KevinJamieson86 sent out a tweet stating that he thinks Phoenix Coyotes winger Shane Doan will sign with Edmonton, if he were to hit the UFA market come July 1st. It was a name that I haven't given much thought to since 2007. Back then, I was hoping the Oilers would have taken a run at Doan but the Coyotes managed to sign their captain to a five-year deal before the '07 trade deadline and hence the rugged winger never hit the open market. Fast forward five years and with all signs pointing towards the departure of longtime Oiler Ales Hemsky, would making a pitch for the now 35-year-old right winger make sense?

Game 56 : Toronto 4 Edmonton 3 (OT)

Considering many felt last Monday's tilt between the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs was one of the more entertaining games of the season. It should have come as no real surprise that hockey fans were treated to an even better display on Wednesday night. Tim Connolly was the unlikely overtime hero, as the Leafs edged the Oilers 4-3, in what was an absolute treat to watch. Edmonton battled back all night long and were frankly the better team. That being said, Toronto found a way to get the job done and left Rexall Place with two points that this club desperately needed.

Oilers Look To Avenge Last Weeks Loss In Toronto

With the Maple Leafs being absolutely pumped by the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, the Edmonton Oilers could be finding themselves up against one angry but tired opponent on Wednesday night at Rexall Place. Toronto is in a fight for their lives for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and last night's defeat left them in eighth spot and clinging to a one point lead over the Washington Capitals. Edmonton is coming off a three day lay off and a 4-3 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon. While the Leafs are in desperate need of the two points, I would not expect the Oilers to just lay down and go quietly. This team felt they let an opportunity slip through their fingers last Monday in Toronto and they will also be looking to get a little pay back for last year. The Maple Leafs came into town last season and put the boot to Edmonton in more ways then one and the home side would like nothing more, then to return the favour on Wednesday evening.

Maybe Signing Ales Hemsky Isn't Such A Bad Idea

Back in late November, I wrote a piece titled "The Risk In Moving Ales Hemsky" which focused on the challenges the organization faced with what to do with the talented forward. They could have looked to move him then, when they desperately needed help elsewhere, consider re-signing him or wait until the deadline to make the move. While the scnerio surrounding the club is a little different then it was in the November, the time to finally make the decision is almost hand. With the NHL Trade Deadline now two weeks away,  I have to ask the question. Does re-signing Ales Hemsky make sense for the Edmonton Oilers?

Game 55: Edmonton 4 Ottawa 3 (OT)

It seemed rather fitting, that on the day the Ottawa Senators honoured # 4 Chris Phillips, it was the Oilers # 4, Taylor Hall, who would be the difference maker. The former first overall selection scored seventeen seconds into OT and propelled  the visitors to a 4-3 victory to kick off CBC's coverage of Hockey Day in Canada. Netminder Nikolai Khabibulin stole the show stopping thirty-nine shots and forward Magnus Paajarvi, scored his first goal of the season after being held off the score sheet the previous thirty-four games.