Game 34: Edmonton 4 Minnesota 1

The Edmonton Oilers were given an early Christmas present on Thursday night, when they had the good fortune of taking on a team that has been struggling even more then they have. Typically a match up against the Minnesota Wild is not a good situation for this team to breakout of slump but last night was a different story. Earlier this season, Edmonton broke their seventeen game losing streak against the Wild in Minnesota and yesterday they managed to defeat their division rivals one more time, this time by a score of 4-1. Jordan Eberle continued his torrid pace, picking up two more goals and Ryan Smyth scored his first in twelve games. Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin was solid, making 30 saves in earning his eleventh victory of the season.

Game Day: Wild vs Oilers

Minnesota (20-10-5) vs Edmonton (14-16-3)

Time:       7:30pm
Where:    Rexall Place
Watch:     Sportsnet
Listen:     630 CHED

Why Won't Tambellini Make A Move?

With the Edmonton Oilers losers of their past four games and owners of a 7-14-1 mark since November 1st, the club is clearly in free fall mode. This team sat at the top of the Western Conference with a 7-2-2 record at the end of October. Fast forward to the present and the Oilers are now thirteenth in the West. Yes they got off to a great start that everyone knew they would not be able to maintain. Having said that, the total collapse that they have managed in just seven weeks later is staggering. While they have had a number of injuries and under performing players to deal with, the question needs to be asked:

Why has Steve Tambellini not made a move?

Oil Notes: Omark Out At Least Four More Weeks

Edmonton Oilers colour man Bob Stauffer, ran an interview he did with Oklahoma City Barons head coach Todd Nelson, on Monday's edition of Oilers Now. During the interview, Nelson hinted that winger Linus Omark is no where near being ready to return to action for the first place Barons.

Game 33: Detroit 3 Edmonton 2

The Edmonton Oilers returned home from a tough two game road trip to face one of the leagues best and hottest clubs, the Detroit Red Wings. The Oilers played the mighty Wings tough from the opening whistle to the final buzzer but in the end, it was all for not. Detroit was simply too much for Edmonton to handle and the result was another one goal loss, this time by a score of 3-2.

No Guarantee Ryan Smyth Is Here Next Season

When Ryan Smyth started this season the way he did, all the talk was how great it was to have him back in the fold. It seemed like a no-brainer that Edmonton would seriously have to consider signing the veteran winger to a contract extension. While that is definitely a possibility, there is no guarantee that the Oilers will re-sign one of the most popular players in this teams storied history.

Game Day: Red Wings vs Oilers

Detroit (20-10-1) vs Edmonton (14-15-3)

Time:       7:30pm
Where:    Rexall Place
Watch:     Sportsnet
Listen:     630 CHED

Tom Renney Is Safe...For Now

With the Edmonton Oilers recent slide, the calls for Tom Renney's head have started to rolL in from frustrated fans. When you consider how well the Oilers season started off and you look at where the club currently sits, it's not shocking that the locals are starting to become  restless. This is an organization that has finished dead last in the league for two consecutive seasons and hasn't had a sniff of the playoffs since their magical  2006 playoff run. The fans are tired of watching this team lose and since early November, they have been doing their fair share of losing. While I understand the frustration, the fact remains that Tom Renney isn't going anywhere...at least for now.

Game 32: San Jose 3 Edmonton 2

Though the effort was much better, the result remained the same. The free-fall of the Edmonton Oilers continues, as they dropped their third straight game. Patrick Marleau's third period power play marker was the difference, as the San Jose Sharks fought back to edge the Oilers by a score of 3-2. Edmonton netminder Nikolai Khabibulin made his return to the lineup and was sensational in stopping 34 saves but San Jose was too much for the slumping Oilers too handle.