The Week Ahead for the Edmonton Oilers - October 30 to November 5

The Oilers are about to close out their October schedule in search of their eighth win in nine games, after which they will embark on what is likely to be a challenging November with 15 games in 29 days, and I find myself in an unfamiliar position, looking for new ways to say something positive about the Oilers. Many times in the past I've struggled to find a way to write about the Oilers without repeating myself, but never because the team had been playing too well. I must say, this is an absolutely wonderful problem to have.

Sunday, October 30 - Game 9 - Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators

Oilers Record: 7-1-0
Last 10: N/A
Senators Record: 4-3-0
Last 10: N/A

Oilers All-Time Record vs Ottawa: 17-13-4-3
Goals For/Against: 111/100
Oilers Record Last Season vs Ottawa: 1-1-0
Goals For/Against: 8/6
Streak: Senators won the last game

Puck Drop: 7:00PM MST
Television: Sportsnet Oilers
The Opposing View: Silver Sevens | Twitter: @silversevensens

The Oilers wrap up October with a visit from the Senators. Despite a record that's a game above .500, the Oilers should look at this game as very winnable, at least if they want people to continue to believe in their crazy start to the year. The Senators are struggling to keep the puck out of their net right now, and the Oilers have the offensive weapons to fill the oppositions. This is a game that the Oilers maybe don't need to win, but probably should win.

Tuesday, November 1 - Game 10 - Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs

Oilers Record: 7-1-0
Last 10: N/A
Leafs Record: 2-3-3
Last 10: N/A

Oilers All-Time Record vs Toronto: 43-42-8-3
Goals For/Against: 377/347
Oilers Record Last Season vs Toronto: 1-1-0
Goals For/Against: 5/5
Streak: Oilers won the last game

Puck Drop: 5:30PM MST
Television: Sportsnet Oilers
The Opposing View: Pension Plan Puppets | Twitter: @PPPLeafs

The first NHL game between Connor McDavid, that year's first overall pick, and Auston Matthews, this year's first overall pick. As of Sunday morning, McDavid leads the league in points with 12, Matthews sits two spots back with 10 points; Matthews is also leading the league with six goals. These are two of the most exciting players in hockey going head to head, this is as must see as a game in November can get.

Thursday, November 3 - Game 11 - Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Oilers Record: 7-1-0
Last 10: N/A
Rangers Record: 5-3-0
Last 10: N/A

Oilers All-Time Record vs New York Rangers: 32-27-9-2
Goals For/Against: 242/245
Oilers Record Last Season vs New York Rangers: 1-1-0
Goals For/Against: 9/9
Streak: The Rangers won the last meeting between the two teams

Puck Drop: 5:00PM MST
Television: Sportsnet 360
The Opposing View: Blueshirt Banter | Twitter: @BlueshirtBanter

Early in the season the Oilers have gotten a steady diet of some of the weaker teams in the NHL, especially on the road where they have visited Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto. I don't think that many would consider the Rangers to be one of he NHL's elite teams, but playing them on the road will still be one of he first real challenges for the Oilers this season, and will give them another chance to prove that they're for real.

Saturday, November 5 - Game 12 - Edmonton Oilers at New York Islanders

Oilers Record: 7-1-0
Last 10: N/A
Islanders Record: 3-5-0
Last 10: N/A

Oilers All-Time Record vs New York Islanders: 35-37-14-1
Goals For/Against: 293/304
Oilers Record Last Season vs New York Islanders: 1-1-0
Goals For/Against: 4/9
Streak: The Oilers won the last game

Puck Drop: 5:00PM MST
Television: Sportsnet 360
The Opposing View: Lighthouse Hockey | Twitter: @LHHockey

If you were looking for a low point in the Oilers' 2015/16 season, the 8-1 loss on the road versus the Islanders would have to be near the top of the list. The Oilers return to Brooklyn to take on the Islanders this season in the first half of what will be their first back-to-back games of the season. This might also be the first night where Cam Talbot gets the night off. After starting the first 11 games of the season the rest would be well deserved.