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No Turkey This Year
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Lowetide
Nov 25, 2011, 19:01 EST
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Ken Holland:  “I always look at the standings on U.S. Thanksgiving, right at the end of November. From there, you move in a pack. You’ve sort of shown the winning percentage you’re going to move at.” Guess what? The Edmonton Oilers are running with the pack. It’s been awhile.

OBSERVATIONS

Today’s game ended a losing streak that goes back to the turn of the century. Ma and Pa Kettle sat in the stands in Minnesota the last time EDM took a W from the locals, and since then it’s been a black hole for the Oilers. Black Friday did the trick, with a statement win for the Orange and Blue.
  • Jordan Eberle made his usual brilliant plays, but I was impressed by his unselfish move right at game’s end to give the empty net goal to the rookie. Wonderful player, future captain.
  • Ryan Smyth’s goal early in the game was something he’s done for ages. Smyth has been around since the Minnesota North Stars (not really) and is playing like it’s 2000 again. Amazing.
  • Taylor Hall is the brute force and often (certainly today) gets the party started. He’ll be a legend in his own time.
  • RNH turned over the puck on a play he’s made before. It reminds us of his youth. Everything else he did today reminds us of his future. Amazing talent.
  • PM Bouchard is the devil, at least against the Oilers.
  • Ladislav Smid: +3.
  • Darcy Hordichuk got the Oilers many PP minutes. That’s impressive.
  • Ryan Whitney played 16:22. Low total, but he’ll play tomorrow. Right?

CONFESSION

I’ve yet to trust this team on the road. At home, you can see the plan and the results, but the road has been a different story. However, recent wins over LA, NAS and now MIN suggest a corner has been turned, a new day is dawning.
It’s American Thanksgiving. Calgary is well behind and the Edmonton Oilers are sitting in a playoff positon.

 

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

It’s a damn good day.
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