Everyone who is a mega star now, was at one point impossibly young and just happy to be in the big leagues. Two of the youngest guns in the NHL meet tonight in Chicago. It might be argued that tonight’s game is the first between the Hawks and Oilers that has been of any note whatsoever in years.

It could also be argued that these teams will have important matches against one another for years to come.

Only time will tell.

The Hawks are in first place in the Western Conference with a 10-4-3 record. The newly Mighty-for-Realsies? Oilers are third in the West with a 9-5-2 record. It should also be noted that Columbus has only seven points, which is amazing when you stop and think about it. Thank heavens they did not tank this hard last year – they might currently employ the Nuge instead of good ol E-town.

On a road trip where a .500 record would be considered to be a complete success the Oil are coming into Chicago having lost two games in a row. Being blanked by Detroit after losing in Boston ain’t no particular thing, especially if you can take down the Conference leaders on your way back home.

The Oilers confirmed as much with a tweeted quote from Ryan Jones earlier today:

"Any time you can go .500 on the road is usually a success, especially a trip like this." – on aiming for a W in Chicago tonight.

No lines were ran at practice today in Chicago but the Oilers have confirmed that Nikolai Khabibulin will get the start against his former team. Ryan Smyth impossibly leads the team in goals and points and second to him is the Nuge.

Did we happen to mention RNH is five whole years younger than Jonathan Toews? Take that uppity Hawks fans who think they have the youngest guns in the league.

Let’s get after this one fellas. It could prove to be a big win.