The Edmonton Oilers were able to secure another victory last night pushing their winning streak up to 7 games. This is now the second 7 game-winning streak for the Oilers since Kris Knoblauch has taken over.
You don't want to give a player credit for a win over the rest of his teammates, but I think you can for that game last night. Zach Hyman was on another level last night scoring all three of the Edmonton Oilers goals. Not to be outdone though, Bouchard managed to get an assist on each of Hyman's goals. The way these two are playing they should both be voted into the All-Star Game.
Skinner had a solid night between the pipes as well. Stopping 29/30 shots for an SV% of 0.967%. In his past 5 games, Skinner's SV% has been a 0.912% or better. His season has turned around from the slow start he had. His season SV% is almost back about 0.900%. A couple more solid games and it will be.
Another note from last night on the Edmonton Oilers is that they are officially sitting in a playoff spot. With two points last night, the Oilers hold the second wild-card spot in the west and are 5 points behind the LA Kings for third in the division.
The Oilers are one of the hottest teams right now and taking a look at the schedule ahead I don't see many opportunities for a loss coming up. For the rest of January, they only play 2 teams that are currently in a playoff spot. The Toronto Maple Leafs on the 16th and the Nashville Predators on the 27th.
If the Edmonton Oilers can continue to play the way that they are playing there is a good chance that they will start moving up the division rankings. The rest of the Pacific teams in front of the Oilers are struggling, with the Vancouver Canucks being above 0.500 over their last 10 games.
It is crazy to thing with how bad of a start the Oilers had that they actually still have a chance to have any type of home ice advantage in the playoffs. They will need some help to get there, but at least now it seems possible.