Drink it all in, Oilers fans. Drink it up! But don’t be one of those ANNOYING fans, who claims you saw this coming, because none of you would have dreamed this BIG.

Most of you in OilersNation woke up this morning still vibrating after watching something you haven’t seen in Edmonton in 21 years. The last time two Oiler players registered five points in the same game was in November, 1988 v. the Los Angeles Kings when Jimmy Carson and Glenn Anderson each tallied a five spot.

Last night Dustin Penner and Ales Hemsky set career highs with five points. Hemsky had registered four points on four different occasions, while Penner, until last night, had one three-point night in his career back on Nov 30th, 2005 when he scored two goals and an assist in a 6-1 Ducks win over Phoenix.

Penner continues to be not only the surprise of the Oilers, but the surprise of the entire NHL. If any GM thought Penner was capable of this, they would have dialed up Steve Tambellini in the summer, and Tambellini probably would have traded him, and most Oilers fans would have said, “Good riddance.”

Rather than harp on that, or pull out the lame, “If only MacTavish wouldn’t have stunted his growth,” I think you should sit back, go to NHL.com and click on stats. Hell, make that page as your screen saver because Penner is 3rd in league scoring and Hemsky is tied for 17th. Yes, that same Hemsky who a week ago some of you thought should be traded.

Embrace it.

Enjoy it.

Because who knows how long it will last. And the only thing worse than pretending you thought Penner had this in him, is being the fan who just waits for the other shoe to fall.

Sure, the Oilers gave up four goals, and more than 30 shots again, but even the most pessimistic fan has to admit the Oilers have been damn entertaining this year.

Isn’t that what you pay for?

During the glory years the Oilers scored a lot, and gave up lots of goals, but they won. Who cares how they win as long as they win. Oiler fans can’t be choosy about wins, because they have been rare for many years.

The Oilers haven’t had 40 regulation wins since 1988, and they haven’t won their division since 1987. I know it is only nine games, but 6-2-1 is a great start and it’s time some of you learn how to believe your team can win.

Can Penner, Hemsky and Sam Gagner become a consistent first line? Why not?

Of course they won’t combine for 16 shots and 13 points every game, but why can’t they fluctuate between three and six points a game?

For years you’ve watched other teams that have players come out of nowhere and produce big numbers, so maybe it’s time Penner becomes one of those guys.

Make sure you enjoy today, because the Oilers have back-to-back games v. Calgary and Vancouver this weekend, and in a span of 26 hours they could lose both, win both or split. But if Penner, Gagner and Hemsky play even half as well as they did last night, they will give the Oilers a fighting chance.

Right now the only thing that might stop Penner is the flu bug.

It is almost comical watching Penner right now, because with every point all of you become more of a fan of 27. Some of you are fighting the urge to run down to The Sports Closet right now and purchase a brand new Penner jersey. I suspect many of you will give in before Christmas if he continues to produce.

Don’t think the Oilers have forgotten about the Jarome Iginla hit/stick on Sheldon Souray on October 8th. Iginla is an honest player, and he is a great player, and I doubt the Oilers will go out of their way to cheap shot him, but there is no way he gets a free pass this Saturday.

I’m not saying we will see an old-fashioned, bloody Battle of Alberta, but expect the Oilers to be physical. Souray is well respected in the locker room, and the fact he isn’t any closer to returning won’t be forgotten.

Don’t expect the players or Quinn to say anything, but trust me, they are thinking it. Back-to-back games against their two most hated rivals after a riveting come-from-behind victory should make for one of the more exciting October weekends of Oiler hockey that we’ve seen in Edmonton in many years.

This is one of the few times I’m actually excited to be going to Calgary, because I think the atmosphere at the Saddledome will be intense, and hopefully the game lives up to it.

Drink it up!

Tonight at halftime of the Tiger Cats/Argonauts game on TSN, Edmonton native, Steven Olson could win a million bucks if he hits a 50-yard field goal. The 25-year-old graduate student can win other prizes from 20 yards, 30 yards and 40 yards, but the 50-yarder is what matters.

Good luck, man.

Today also marks the final day that you can sign up for our NationDrafts online. Go to NationDrafts.com and make sure you’re entered. There are some awesome prizes from all of the companies taking part this season. Tell your friends!