Game 11: Detroit 2 Edmonton 1

Despite a sparkling performance from netminder Nikolai Khabibulin, the Edmonton Oilers and their highly regarded power play let their veteran goaltender down on Saturday afternoon, falling 2-1 to the Detroit Red Wings, kicking off CBC's Hockey Day in Canada. Defenceman Justin Schultz continued to impress, potting his fourth of the young season, in another disappointing showing from the young Oilers.

No need for the Oilers to shift Yakupov out of the top six

While it is nice to see Ralph Krueger and his coaching staff willing to mix things up, in hopes of shaking his Edmonton Oilers out of their season long struggles of producing at even strength. The idea of possibly moving rookie Nail Yakupov away from the rest of the core group of talented youngsters, is a rather perplexing one.

Game 10: Dallas 3 Edmonton 2 (OT)

On a night in which the Edmonton Oilers played much of the game with one legitimate NHL centre in Sam Gagner, it is hard to be overly disappointed with their 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of Jaromir Jagr and the Dallas Stars.

Oilers Gagner off to a solid start but still has a ways to go

There is no question that Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner has had a good start to the 2013 season but has it really been as good as some have made it out to be? While Gagner has managed to pick up points in each of the Oilers nine games, he has not really stood out in any way shape or form.

Injury-riddled Oilers recall Arcobello over VandeVelde

With Shawn Horcoff set to be out of the Edmonton Oilers lineup for the foreseeable future and Eric Belanger likely another seven to fourteen days from returning to action, all signs seemed to be pointing to the Oilers re-calling Chris VandeVelde or possibly veteran Josh Green from the Oklahoma City Barons to fill the void.

Game 9: Vancouver 3 Edmonton 2 (OT)

It was a night in which the Vancouver Canucks badly outplayed the Edmonton Oilers over the final forty minutes of action but it was still a game the Oilers let slip away. Defenceman Christopher Tanev picked a helluva time to score his first career NHL goal, beating Devan Dubnyk in the dying seconds of overtime and leading the Canucks to a come from behind 2-1 victory over their Northwest Division rivals.

Oilers will need to make room for Ryan Jones

While Ryan Jones is not quite ready to make his 2013 Edmonton Oilers debut, he isn't far off. With his return likely coming sometime over the next 2-3 weeks and Ben Eager getting closer to re-joining the Oilers starting lineup, head coach Ralph Krueger will have some tough decisions moving forward.

Oilers Whitney continues to struggle to find his game

To be fair, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney is in an almost no-win situation. The veteran blueliner has not only been robbed of much, if not all, of his mobility due to continual ankle problems but also had the misfortune of giving Oilers fans a glimpse of the player he could have been. Unfortunately for everyone involved...he will never be that player again.

Game 8: Colorado 3 Edmonton 1

So much for ending their three game road trip on a positive note. Despite a third consecutive strong showing from netminder Devan Dubnyk and an early goal from rookie Nail Yakupov, the Edmonton Oilers were completed outclassed on Saturday afternoon.