Weekend Update: Outstanding

The Edmonton Oilers it seems are full of surprises, continuing their stay on top of the western conference is one of them. No one, not a single one of us thought that this would be happening, not now. Maybe in a few years we've all thought we would see the Oilers leading. I also doubt anyone picked Nikolai Khabibulin in their fantasy draft. No one thought that he would also be leading the league in goals against average and often save percentage. You know what though; these surprises are the best kind. I like that so many of our complaints have suddenly vanished and we have been left with our happiness and delight. 

The Oilers have extended their winning streak to six games for the first time in eight and a half years. The last time the team won this many games, they went on to win nine in a row.

This week the Oilers had a 4-2 win over the Blues, their last home game for two weeks. On Thursday, Khabibulin earned his second shutout of the season with a 3-0 beat down of the Los Angeles Kings.

The Oilers will continue on their Canadian Finals Road Trip for now and Nugent-Hopkins will continue to look for his first road point. The Rodeo that takes place this time every year has once again displaced the Oilers, but also gives them so many home games to start the season. And so many home games may have been quite beneficial to the bonding this team has had. The team clearly has developed confidence and chemistry on a few lines and with a few pairings and this is what helps to win games.

There was some player movement this week. Andy Sutton received a one game suspension before an in person meeting with Brendan Shanahan. That one game was Sunday's against the Blues. The Oilers wanted to call up Colten Teubert, but the Barons were on a road trip and Teubert did not have his passport on him. Instead, Alex Plante got the call and had a good game. Following the game however, Plante was sent back to the Barons.

The announcement on the Shaniban came mid-week, but the Oilers didn't play until Thursday night. Sutton would receive five games; it was determined that it was not intended as a malicious hit, but Sutton is considered a repeat offender and the point of contact was still the concern. Poor Andy Sutton will now be remembered as the first Oiler in over ten years to receive a suspension. However, this may also be a sign that this is not a team that will be pushed around.

Tuesday night, under the cover of darkness, Linus Omark was sent to the Oklahoma City Barons, and met up with them on their road trip. The team decided not to make Omark available to the media upon being sent down, so made the announcement well after Omark had left. At the same time, the team announced that Colten Teubert had been called up and would play his first NHL game against his former club, the Kings.

Cam Barker continues to recover from his sore shoulder. Barker travelled with the team and has been practicing in the no contact jerseys. Also wearing the baby blue has been Ales Hemsky, also recovering from a sore shoulder. We know that Hemsky is still feeling the after affects of his shoulder surgery from last March, but Barker has not said which should has been giving him grief. Both players may be back in the lineup before the Oilers play at home again, but if not the Oilers are seeing success without them and there is no rush for either player. It is shocking that the team is also doing so well without the use of Ryan Whitney. Whitney is still out with a sprained knee. No word on his return date just yet.

There are several celebrities that call themselves Oiler fans. The most often noted is Kevin Smith. The Oilers had an opportunity to check out Smith's collection:

The Edmonton Oil Kings played only one game this past week, and sadly it was a 3-2 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Edmotnon Oil Kings are also supporting the Movember movement, and several players are looking for your support to raise funds for male health awareness and research. 

There were a few changes to the WHL super series roster this week. The Oil Kings will now be represented by forward Michael St. Croix and defenseman Griffin Reinhart as well as the previously named Mark Pysyk. These players will also join Oilers' goaltending prospect Tyler Bunz.

Speaking of Tyler Bunz, the Medicine Hat Tigers' goaltender has been named Vaughn CHL goaltender of the week. Bunz joins Nugent-Hopkins who was named NHL rookie of the month for October, and Khabibbulin who was named the NHL third star of the month. 

Jordan Eberle and Devan Dubnyk have been featured in a number of new commercials with Oiler sponsors. It's always fun to see that the players have a good sense of humour.

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Oil Observations From Week 3 - Copper & Blue dawgbone98

Kellen Jones Scouting Report - Copper & Blue Zona

New Team To Play, And More Texas Roads For The Barons - Copper & Blue Rodgers

The Cornet Conjecture 7 in 60 vs. 7 in 8he Cornet Conjecture 7 in 60 vs. 7 in 8 - Copper & Blue Livingston

LOST IN THE SUPERMARKET - Oilers Nation Lowetide

PHOTOSHOP IV: THE NUUGE - Oilers Nation Gretz

RNH With The Best Start To A Post Draft Rookie Year Since Patrick Kane - BBO

Looking At the '12-13 Opening Night Roster And Gagner's and Omark's Days Are Numbered - BBO

An Apology To Nikolai Khabibulin - Oil On Whyte

Dan Ringwald Called Up To OKC Barons - Oilers Jambalaya

Oilers 2012 NHL Draft Watch "Alex Galchenyuk" - Oilers Jambalaya

Omark, Gagner, Hemsky – who should stay and who should go? -Cult of Hockey McCurdy

Travis Ewanyk Sidelined By Injury Still Eager to Play - Oil Patch

Griffin Reinhart: More Like His Father Than Brothers - Oil Patch

Grant Fuhr Coaching for the Love of the Game - Oil Patch