The Oilers didn’t exactly bring their A-game on Monday night in Winnipeg, despite Calvin Pickard stealing a 3-1 win, and it would take a much stronger effort than that to beat the Bruins. Sure, Boston rolled into Rogers Place riding a six-game losing streak, but that certainly didn’t mean Edmonton would be able to take advantage. This wasn’t our first rodeo, you know? Unfortunately, what we got was another chapter in the Oilers’ story as slump busters. Instead of kicking a struggling team when they’re down, our boys let the Bruins off the mat with a Jeremy Swayman-backed 6-2 win.

I know Jack Michaels was talking about this on the broadcast, and I agree with him: Connor McDavid is looking as good as he ever has in his career. The run he went on throughout December was magical, it was ridiculous, it was sensational, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a player make the opposition look as silly as often as he did over the 15 games he played. And there’s no better example of that wizardry than his 14-game (and counting) point streak, where he put up 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points. Those are video game numbers. Those numbers look like there’s something above the NHL that he’s waiting to be called up to. I know the Oilers lost, and that sucks, but let’s not skip over what the captain just did.

Watching Connor McDavid make magic in the month leading up to the new year was a blessing and a reminder that we’re through another year of his career. What we’re watching is the kind of stuff that could be once in a lifetime, and if I can offer any advice for 2026, it would be to appreciate whatever mind-blowing tomfoolery he comes up with over the next 12 months. Win or lose, McDavid is always worth the time. But to put up 34 points in 15 games is something we could have only dreamed of back in the decade of darkness. I remember when Jordan Eberle picked up 76 points in 78 games back in 2012 and thinking we were on our way back to the top. Here we are over a decade later and Connor McDavid has 70 points in 41. We had to go through a world of hell to get this player, and I’m planning to spend this new year enjoying him.

Can we appreciate Zach Hyman for a minute? I know I should be complaining about the loss to the Bruins, but I’d rather bring everyone’s attention to how well our man has been playing lately. Hyman scored his 12th goal late in the first period in only his 22nd game of the year, with the first handful of those games basically acting as training camp for him. After not playing an NHL game in six months and missing all of the pre-season activities, Zachary Martin Hyman has come back and put himself on a 45-goal pace over an 82-game season. That’s pretty impressive for a guy coming off wrist surgery.

Even more important, though, is how No. 18 has put in 1000% effort into every game he’s played over the past five years and he’s turned into a premiere goal scorer that the Oilers depend on. I know we hoped this would happen when Hyman bailed on Toronto, but what we’re getting is spectacular value. But even when he’s not scoring, you know ZMH is going to do what he can to make a positive impact and will his team forward. And to do it in each season he’s been here and get better while he’s at it is well beyond any bull case we could have dreamt up when he signed in Edmonton as a free agent. So, instead of talking about an unfortunate loss, I’d rather fill this space on the internet with a little love for our favourite child author.

The Oilers’ schedule does not ease up in January, but it does tilt in the boys’ favour. Fifteen games is a lot of hockey to play in a month, but you have to think that playing 11 of those games at Rogers Place makes things a touch easier, especially after spending 24 of the first 40 games on the road. Home ice is supposed to be a scary place for opponents to play, and a stretch like this is where that theory gets tested. More routine between games, more practice time, fewer travel variables, and a building that actually pushes for them when momentum starts to swing. The Oilers survived the most chaotic part of their year and came out on top of the Pacific Division as 2025 came to a close. Given how we started? Not too bad. Now they get a stretch where the environment finally supports the work.

What makes January feel like an opportunity rather than a grind is who they are playing and where. Four games against divisional opponents mean four chances to directly affect the standings. Those are the nights that Edmonton needs to win if they want to hold a division lead for more than a few minutes. The Oilers enter the month with 46 points through 41 games and first place in the division — I know, I know the games in hand — and home ice gives them a real chance to press that advantage. If they take care of business in their own building and win the games that matter most, January can be the month where the Pacific stops feeling tight and starts feeling like something the Oilers can put behind them.

We’re heading back to Las Vegas for the next Nation Vacation, March 24–27, and you’re invited to join the ultimate hockey fan getaway. Trip packages start at $2,400, with the option to secure your spot for just 20% down. Enjoy roundtrip flights, a premium three-night stay at Circa Resort & Casino, access to Stadium Swim, exclusive watch parties, a Nation Citizens pool party, a party bus to T-Mobile Arena, and food and drinks included at the Edmonton vs. Vegas game. Multiple travel options mean you can book the trip your way—so lock in your spot now at nationgear.ca and come be part of the chaos in Vegas!