The Good Cam Talbot

It was by no means a perfect performance but the Edmonton Oilers could not have asked for the opening of their new shiny barn to have gone much better than it did.  With the anticipation surrounding the official unveiling of Rogers Place at a fevered pitch, the team did not disappoint by handing the Calgary Flames a 7-4 thumping to ring in another NHL season.  Not surprisingly, Connor McDavid led the offensive barrage in what turned out to be a night much of Oilers Nation won’t soon forgot. It may have only been one night but it was one this fan base was starving for. 

2013-14 Preview: Dubnyk will need to carry the load early

The Edmonton Oilers will kickoff their 2013-14 schedule against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night at Rexall Place. After missing the playoffs for seven consecutive years, both the organization and its fan base are ready to see this team finally take a step forward and make their long awaited return to the post-season.

Dubnyk nothing more than adequate for the Oilers in 2013

Late last week, Edmonton Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish took part in a TeleForum with hundreds of Edmonton Oilers season ticket holders. While the Oilers new GM answered many a question throughout the hour long event, probably the most surprising response to many fans, came when the discussion turned to starting netminder Devan Dubnyk.

Game 47: Edmonton 6 Minnesota 1

Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov led the charge upfront with a combined eight point effort, while Nikolai Khabibulin was simply outstanding, in what was likely his final appearance in an Oilers uniform. As the Edmonton Oilers destroyed the Minnesota WIld 6-1 in Friday night NHL action, in a game that had huge playoff implication for the Wild.

Game 45: Anaheim 3 Edmonton 0

With the losses continuing to pile up, this season could not end soon enough for the Edmonton Oilers. After delivering another half-hearted performance on home ice, Edmonton proceeded to drop their second in as many nights to the visiting Anaheim Ducks. The 3-0 victory clinched the Pacific Division crown for the Ducks and leaves the Oilers with a horrendous 1-8 record since the NHL Trade Deadline.

Game 37: Vancouver 4 Edmonton 0

Apparently last Saturday's butt kicking at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers left a bad taste in the mouths of the Vancouver Canucks. Alain Vigneault's Northwest Division leading side were all business on Thursday evening, returning the favour by thumping the Oilers by that same 4-0 score at Rogers Arena.

Game 33: Edmonton 6 Columbus 4

It was one of those night's that looked to be headed towards disaster for the Edmonton Oilers. After crawling back from an early 2-0 deficit, it took these Oilers all of twenty-seven seconds of period three, to allow the Columbus Blue Jackets to jump in front 4-3. At which point point Ralph Krueger reached his breaking point.

Game 32: Edmonton 3 St. Louis 0

On a night in which the Edmonton Oilers reunited the trio of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, it was a brilliant performance from Nikolai Khabibulin that proved to be the difference, earning his team a huge 3-0 victory. However, the top line did play a massive role in the win, combining for all three goals and eight points on the night.

Game 30: St.Louis 3 Edmonton 0

Well that was painful. After clawing their way back into the Western Conference playoff race over the last couple of weeks, the Edmonton Oilers were handed a rude awaking on Saturday night. In what was as thorough a beat down as this club has received this season, the St. Louis Blues waltzed out of Rexall Place with two points, courtesy of a 3-0 victory.

Dubnyk remains the Oilers starter, despite Khabibulin's strong play

Heading into this season, I was no different than the vast majority. I had my doubts about Devan Dubnyk being able to handle the role of being the Edmonton Oilers go-to-guy from Day One. Where I differed from the majority, was believing Nikolai Khabibulin was more than capable of bringing his "A" game to the table, if deployed in a correct manner by head coach Ralph Krueger. 

Game 18: Chicago 3 Edmonton 2 (OT)

The Edmonton Oilers kicked off their lengthy nine game road trip against the best team in the NHL on Monday night, earning a very important point in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Marian Hossa scored 1:44 into the extra session, despite a valiant effort from netminder Nikolai Khabibulin, keeping the Hawks near perfect season intact.

Game 17: Edmonton 3 Phoenix 2 (SO)

After leading the Edmonton Oilers in scoring for each of the last two seasons, there were high expectations for Jordan Eberle heading into the 2013 campaign. However, through many of the club's first sixteen games, #14 had looked somewhat lost for the first time in his young NHL career.

Game 15: Los Angeles 3 Edmonton 1

It was an odd night at Rexall Place for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. After peppering the Colorado Avalanche with fifty-six shots just three nights earlier, the Oilers reverted back to their old ways against the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

Game 14: Edmonton 6 Colorado 4

Now that's more like it. While it may not have been how head coach Ralph Krueger drew it up on the whiteboard, the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche, is the type of hockey that fans across the league expect to see from this group of talented youngsters.

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.

Oil Notes: Khabibulin set to return to Oilers lineup

With the Edmonton Oilers decision to place netminder Yann Danis on waivers Tuesday morning, one can safely assume that veteran Nikolai Khabibulin is ready to make his 2013 debut. With the Oilers in the midst of a four game in six night stretch, which includes a three game in four night road swing, the return of the Russian netminder could not have come at a better time.

Oilers hand Dubnyk the opportunity of a lifetime

Devan Dubnyk may have been handed a two year/ $7 million extension from General Manger Steve Tambellini to be the Edmonton Oilers starting netminder over the next couple of seasons but let's be honest here. Dubnyk will have one kick at the can. He either proves he has what it take to be a number one goalie or he will be replaced in very short order.

Oilers Player Preview: Khabibulin will still play a major role in shortened season

Heading into his seventeenth season as a National Hockey League netminder, Nikolai Khabibulin will be faced with taking on a role that will seem somewhat foreign to him. After being the number one guy for much of his sixteen year career, the veteran puckstopper will  be playing second fiddle in Edmonton, behind Devan Dubnyk.

If healthy, Oilers D could be far better than expected

Heading into what was supposed to be the 2012-2013 National Hockey League season, there were more than a few questions surrounding the Edmonton Oilers blueline. Their lack of top end talent, depth, experience and possible health issues, were all a cause for major concern. While those questions still remain, the club's blueline mix doesn't look as questionable as it once did.

Luongo would be a mistake for both the Maple Leafs and Oilers

It's obvious people are starting to grow tired of all this NHL Lockout talk, as rumours surrounding the possible trading of Roberto Luongo have started to make the rounds one more time. Not surprisingly, the Toronto Maple Leafs still sit atop that list but recent talk has now turned the spotlight onto the Edmonton Oilers possibly having interest in the Vancouver Canucks puckstopper