THE BRIGHT SIDE

• I liked that Ken Hitchcock rolled four lines to start the game. Get everyone involved in the game early. I think that’s a big reason why they were able to get off to such a strong start in this one. By the end of the game, you could say that the Oilers got meaningful minutes from every single forward line. It was a good night and it started with a smart coaching move by Ken Hitchcock.
• That first goal was a thing of beauty. What made it even more impressive to me was the fact that Connor McDavid was getting towards the end of his shift and then just casually turned on the jets and ripped up ice. He seemingly never runs out of energy.
• I wonder if that first goal was enough to get Draisaitl out of Nation Dan’s doghouse?
• I had high expectations for Jujhar Khaira heading into this season and he was very disappointing through the first two months of the season. Tonight was his best game of the season and third solid game in a row. He seems to have found another gear on a line with RNH. His assist on that Alex Chiasson goal? That was just a product of a guy just straight up working his ass off. He has the potential to be a legit, middle six power forward if he continues to play like this.
• Cam Talbot made outstanding save after outstanding save when this game was still 3-1. Could have been an entirely different result if he didn’t bail them out a few times.
• It’s great watching any Oiler score, but some guys just immediately make you smile when they find the back of the net. Zack Kassian is one of those guys.
• A pair of big penalty kills in the second period as well. A PPG from the Wild at that point could have really swung momentum.
• Oh, the Wild are starting to put on some pressure? Yeah, Connor McDavid will put a quick stop to that. What a rush on that fifth goal.
• Another goal for Alex Chiasson? What do I always say kids… this is why we #PTOEveryone!
• Shoutout to everyone who won on ‘Safeway Score and Win’. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

THE FACE PALMERS

• Remember when we used to watch Devan Dubnyk give up goals like that? Those were bad times.
• How in the world does a team with Connor McDavid not get a single powerplay until the final minute of the game? Seriously, What a joke. They only had two calls against them, but there were a handful of plays where I thought Minnesota deserved to sit for two.
• There’s a part of me that still misses Matt Hendricks #Paralyzer4Life
• For the most part, the Oilers have gotten better defensively under Ken Hitchcock, but they still give up too many ‘Grade A’ chances for my liking. It seems like they’ll do a great job of keeping Minnesota to the outside and then all of the sudden they’ll just forget what they’re doing and give the Wild open look.
• Everyone have a drink for Milan Lucic tonight. He had two incredible looks in tonight’s game and he just cannot buy one. He hit a post… like really? A damn post?! He’ll get one soon. I believe.
• The Wild got real close to making this a one-goal game in the third period. Nothing came of it, but the Oilers definitely got a little bit too comfortable with their lead for about five minutes in the final frame. Can’t be doing that against good teams.
• Pouring one out for everyone who didn’t win on ‘Safeway Score and Win’, we’ll get ’em next time!
• The Oilersnation Christmas party looks like fun! I’m not there because I’m writing this! Thanks, boys!

THE #GOODCONTENT