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.