It was point night for former Oilers (as if you didn’t see that coming), but the Oilers were able to pull out a win.  Wait… no they weren’t.  They gave up a 3 goal lead, and lost in the shootout. Final Score: 6-5 Stars.
At this point, I’m not sure whether or not we should be cheering for wins.  At the very least, the Oilers could toss us a few points for Christmas.  At this point, I think we’ve earned it.  For me, the losing is getting old, and I really wanted to see a win.  Even though the Oilers have been awful (for decades *wink*), seeing a win always seems to feel good.  Blowing a 3-goal lead, however, doesn’t feel as good.  Tonight was Ales Hemsky’s first game back at Rexall, and I was having premonitions of end to end dangles with a beautiful finish.  While Hemsky didn’t score, he did get two assists – Horcoff also had a point (scored), as did Erik Cole (scored). Who would have seen that coming? (Everyone)
Despite being point night for all former Oilers, the home side should have been able to close this out in regulation.  Taylor Hall finished the night with 3 points, and flipped the bird to his 11-game point streak.  Hall carried the load with 2 big goals tonight.  Speaking of two goals, Marcobello played a gritty game and contributed 2 goals as well.  The fact that this game went to overtime (despite leading 5-2), in the first place, shows how many defensive mistakes the Oilers make.  When you score 5 goals at home, you should be able to win the game in regulation.  When you have a 3-goal lead, you should be able to close it out.
Despite the loss, the Oilers seem to be playing a better brand of hockey.  Could Todd Nelson really turn this team around, and have them play a grittier game, just by asking them kindly?  It’s far too early to tell, but at this point, I feel like the Oilers are playing better despite the results.  They’re driving to the net, and they’re winning puck battles that they would have usually lost in the months past.  The Oilers are playing a tougher game, I promise you.  What’s confusing about this brief stretch of NHL calibre play is whether they’re actually playing better, or if this is just another mirage that seems to appear every so often?  Either way, the results still haven’t been there.  Is Todd Nelson some kind of Oilers whisperer, or is everyone playing like they’re scared for their job? We’ve got over a half a season left to find out.  Until then, we’re talking about another loss.
We wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

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  • Taylor Hall. He’s still an Oiler. He’s still scoring goals. Eff off, Internet.
  • The power play scored a goal! Amazing to think that going to the net pays off. (#TheNelsonFactor) It’s amazing how shooting the puck, and heading to the net, results in goals. Who would have thought?
  • Every time Marcobello scores a goal, Jeanshorts sheds tears of happiness. (He loves him. Enough for it to be weird.) I was hoping for him to turn the trick tonight.
  • After a terrible Jhultz giveaway, MacT really let him have it on the bench.  That’s what an experienced coach will do, and I was happy to see some accountability.  Yakupov got the same later on in the game.
  • Good tilt by Boyd Gordon!
  • It was bound to happen, and I was happy to hear Kevin Quinn say “Taylor Seguin.”

THE FACE PALMERS 

  • Win or lose, we were all allowed to blame Horcoff.  It wasn’t, at all, surprising that he scored tonight. 
  • I love Ben Scrivens. I honestly do. But he scares me when he handles the puck.  
  • Yes, Ales Hemsky got points. Yes, Erik Cole scored a goal. I already mentioned Horcoff scoring.
  • I can appreciate Leon Draisaitl being a healthy scratch, at times.  What I don’t understand is Leon Draisaitl being a healthy scratch when he could be playing at the World Juniors.  I know, one game isn’t a big deal (and I agree), but there is an opportunity for him to play big minutes. Will the competition be the same? Not even close.  But this is the last opportunity for Draisaitl to play at the WJC, and I don’t understand the logic behind not sending him.  The Oilers aren’t going anywhere apart from the draft lottery.  It’s a strange development “tactic” to say the least.
  • Tyler Seguin scored a pair (as did Taylor), so the Taylor vs Tyler narrative maintains steam. 
  • Nail Yakupov played under 13 minutes tonight (zero shifts in overtime).  At this point, he doesn’t have Nelson/MacT’s trust. He had zero PP time tonight.
  • The Oilers had a 3 goal lead.  It should never have gotten to a shootout in the first place.  And Horcoff wins it? Of course! Why not?

BEST OF THE TWEETS

Show the world how hilarious you are. Tweet at @jsbmbaggedmilk and @OilersNation, on Twitter, for your chance to show up in the GDB Wrap Up.  Internet glory is yours for the taking.  In the very least you may get a few more followers.

THE #NATIONLIMO

When you have tickets to the game, head to the Pint Downtown and you could win a ride to, and from, the game in a limo.  On top of that, we’ll hook you up with some Nation swag and an Oodle Noodle GC.  All you have to do is let the bartenders know that you want your name on the list.  You should also note that this isn’t some special event, this is happening every home game.  Write that down, take a screep cap, or lock it in your mind locker.  It’s a good time, and you should be there.