G35: Capitals @ Oilers

The Oilers are going to lose in a very big way against a Stanley contender tonight at Rexall.

It will be torturous watching fans at Rexall hold up "We love you Ovie" signs.

And so as a distraction I offer the top 5 jerseys in the NHL 2009 Edition.

Number 5

The Buffalo Sabres third. Classic. I could do without the number above the crest but these jerseys are beauty.

Number 4

Chicago Blackhawks. Again, classic. Sharp! Beauty!

What's more amazing is the traditional design has managed to endured the bureaucracy along with the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and Cleveland Indians.

Number 3

Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Hockey Town, USA. Gordie Howe. Motor City. Classic. (see a theme here?)

Number 2

Hockey's Cathedral. Easily the most recognized jersey on the planet. Popular now and forever.

Number 1
Among the new RBK jerseys this is the best. Classic. Red. (4 out 0f 5 on the list are red)

Washington hit a home run with this design. Well done.

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Washington is in Edmonton tonight. I expect a complete bloodbath and then a long hard Olympic Break Re-Evaluation from Steve Tambellini.

Tonight is not going to be pretty.

G34: Predators @ Oilers

This is Jason Arnott.

Team Captain of the Nashville Predators.

He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993 after being selected 7th overall.

On January 4, 1998 Arnott was traded to the New Jersey Devils along with Bryan Muir for Valeri Zelepukin and Bill Guerin.

Arnott went on to score the championship winning goal, in double overtime, and won the Stanley Cup for the Devils in 2000.

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The Predators are in town tonight to face the Oilers. Head Coach Pat Quinn was noticeably upset with the team's poor performance Tuesday against the visiting Kings.

After winning 5 straight and losing the first game back at home, can the Oilers find the win column against one of the hottest teams in the West right now? Stay tuned...

G33: The Return of the Kings

After finishing 14th in the West last year, the Los Angeles Kings are in town tonight tied for first place in the Western Conference.

The Kings have been a bit of a surprise this year along with a few other western teams like Phoenix, Nashville, and Colorado.

Edmonton currently sits 5 points out of a playoff spot.

After winning 5 straight on the road the Oilers come home to Rexall and what will likely be a hero's reception.

Which is good because they've earned it.

Oilers @ Blues

February 27, 1996 – Wayne Gretzky is traded by the Los Angeles Kings to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, St. Louis' 1996 third round draft pick, and 1997 first round draft pick.

Gretzky was immediately named the team's captain.

He scored 37 points in 31 games for the Blues.

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The Oilers are in St. Louis tonight gunning for a fifth straight road win.

At 13-11-5 the Blues may be ripe for the pickin'.

Let the Drive For Five begin! Let's go Oilers!

Oilers @ Lightning

This is Nikolai Khabibulin.

In 2004, he became the first Russian goalie to win the Stanley Cup.

I recall there being major controversy surrounding Tampa Bay's seventh game victory over the Calgary Flames.

But it's Calgary, so who cares?

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Oilers are in Tampa tonight.

The game is online at http://oilers.nhl.com/

Oilers @ Panthers

During the Panthers' home opener in 1995-96, a rat scurried across the locker room. Former Oiler Scott Mellanby reacted by "one timing" the rat against the wall, killing it. He scored two goals that night.

Once word of Mellanby's "rat-trick" reached the fans a new celebration was born. After each Florida goal fans threw rubber rats onto the ice.

What started with about 12 rats per game grew to over 2,000 per game by the time the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals that season.

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Oilers are in Florida tonight.

Hopefully the ice is littered with Castrol and Quaker State.

Oilers @ Stars

The Minnesota North Stars came into the league in 1967.

The team moved to Dallas in 1993. Won a Stanley in 1999.

Thanks to Brett Hull. The only Dallas Star in the Hall of Fame.

During triple overtime, against the Buffalo Sabres, the Dallas winger puts his left foot into the crease before the puck enters it. No Goal! Right?

Wrong.
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For whatever reason Dallas is probably top of the list of teams that "has the Oilers number".

Maybe that changes this afternoon.