THE EDMONTON OILERS ARE SHOWING THE NHL THAT THEY HAVE ARRIVED

During the last two years, many NHL teams thought a game in Edmonton was a guaranteed victory.  The Oilers were so bad that they finished in last place during those two years and the Edmonton faithful suffered through many lopsided losses.  It looks like the suffering and waiting has paid off for Oiler fans as this year's team seems to have turned the tide.  The Oilers have a young team which is loaded with prospects and anchored by veterans and this group is challenging all comers.  We think something special is happening in Alberta's capital and all the other NHL teams need to pay attention.

The NHL likes the flash of excitement from young snipers.  The league likes to see flash players score a ton of goals and the fans love it even more. Every NHL team that has won or challenged for the Cup in the last few years has had the help of some serious scoring punch. The Penguins have Crosby, the Capitals have Ovechkin and the Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  On top of Nugent-Hopkins; Edmonton has Eberle and Hall.  Smart drafting is threatening to turn the Oilers into a powerhouse.  It is isn't going to happen overnight but Oilers' management is off to a great start with the Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, and Eberle line.

Last night, the Oilers won again by a score of 3-1 over the Colorado Avalanche.   This victory came on the heels of a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Until they played the Oilers, the red hot Capitals were undefeated.  We expect that these boys will make the playoffs this year and surprise everyone with a strong showing.  Lock and load Oilers fans; you are set for an exciting season and soon enough the Cup will make its return to the Edmonton area.

One Goal-of-the-Year Candidate and One So-So Goal that Has Been Getting Goal-of-the-Year Accolades

If you've seen this goal from Saturday's action by Brent Burns of the Minnesota Wild, then you've probably heard it all too, the buzz, that is. NHL.com has already taken it upon itself to call it a goal-of-the-year candidate. Now, while it is somewhat pretty to watch, it was pretty much 50% presence of mind to put the puck on net and 40% luck. That other 10%? Hype.

If you want a bona-fide candidate, look no further than Jordan Eberle of the Edmonton Oilers, whose goal will make its second appearance on our pages:

That right there is skill, being able to keep control of the puck as you're falling down. That right there is a goal of the year (at least potentially). Burns's? Barely nightly highlight reel material. I mean I'm no hockey player and I could score that bad-angle goal. Granted I would have to be at an actually decent angle in order to accidentally bank it off Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Mathieu Garon, but the point still stands.