3) Oilers pass tough test
Last season the Oilers were phenomenal on the road. In fact so much so, that they actually had a better record than at home, on the way to 50 regular season wins for the first time since 1986-87.
Despite this success on their travels, it still took a late rally in the final period from a 3-0 deficit, to beat the Rangers 4-3 in New York. This season's trip to Madison Square Garden was expected to be even more difficult, given the respective form of the two sides.
The Rangers entered Friday night's game with the most points in the Eastern Conference and just a shade behind the Golden Knights and Canucks for the overall NHL lead. This included a 10-3-0 record at home, which had them well on course to beat last season's 23-13-5 mark.
By contrast, the Oilers came into the contest with a 5-9-0 record on their travels, in stark contrast to last season's success. If nothing else, at least they entered the game on the back of the aforementioned 6-3 win in New Jersey a night earlier.
As a result of all this, the Oilers were definitely second favourites on the night. However, when it was all said and done, they came through one of their most difficult tests to date this season, with a 4-3 win which wasn't as close as the final scoreline suggests.
In the process, the Oilers showed glimpses of that team which dominated the NHL last season. That would be the one which scored the most goals in the league and set an all-time record for power play efficiency.
We won't say the Oilers are back - how could you when they've been so inconsistent thus far?However, an impressive win over one of the best teams in the NHL this season could well provide the springboard needed, to return to their own previous standing as one of the league's top sides.
Quote of the night
Following on from an important save early in the second period, Skinner discussed the subsequent interaction with Mika Zibandejad after the Rangers forward hit him in the facemask. He said:
"It was pretty funny. Zibandejad came up to me after almost knocking me out. I made the save and he said, 'Alright we're even now, so we can call it square.' He made me laugh."
With the win, the Oilers pull to within five points of a playoff spot in the Western Conference entering Saturday's slate of games. They now get to enjoy the Christmas period, with their next game not until Dec. 28 in San Jose.