GENE'S BLOG: Work Day

Work Day. Those were the two words written on the white board at the front of the Edmonton Oilers dressing room upon their return to Rogers Place on Sunday. Whether you strolled by upon arriving in the room, or sat and stared at it a bit while you worked on your stick, or maybe a quick glance as you were putting your equipment on -- it was there and you knew what it meant.
Two words to epitomize the theme for the rest of the season. 'Work Day' doesn't really need an explanation -- you can swap your skates for work boots and helmet for hard hat. That vacation, bye week, or All-Star break is over, boys. The message was received loud and clear as the energy, interest, tempo, work, and battle levels between teammates was abundantly clear.

It was a pickup from where they left off attitude that was clearly on display on Monday morning in the Oilers final practice before they hit the road for the unofficial second half of the NHL season. It really felt like the team was glad to see and play against each other again after heading in so many different directions for the week-long break.
The Kulaks, Nurses and Hymans went to Palm Springs. Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Murray, Jack Campbell and Tyson Barrie went to Mexico. The three Oilers all-stars Connor McDavid, Stuart Skinner and Leon Draisaitl all went to South Florida for the festivities. Lastly, there was Kailer Yamamoto who chose local and went to beautiful Banff. While their destinations were different, their focus is now one and the same.

Edmonton came into the break on a 7-0-1 run with their only blemish being an overtime loss to Columbus. However, the Oilers are the ones who have discovered their winning ways.
A six-game winning streak brought a change in both their spot in the standings and in McDavid's hair. No need to mullet over. The reason -- if you asked Head Coach Jay Woodcroft why the team was winning -- he would say it was attention to details on defence. It's where the coach started and then his methods branched off from there.

It doesn't hurt to have the NHL's top two scorers in McDavid and Draisaitl, along with the 11th and 13th best point-getters in Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Playing the 11-and -7 formation has built a steady, strong and reliable lineup. Not to mention, all-star Skinner and resurgent Campbell holding it down between the pipes.
Edmonton finds itself in a race as the NHL resumes play. At one time it seemed their best option would involve a Western Conference wildcard. Now they are right in the mix for a top three or higher finish in the Pacific Division. They currently sit fourth in the division, but are third when it comes to points percentage and second in ROWs (regulation or overtime wins). They also have games in hand on Los Angeles and Vegas to make up some ground.

The top four teams in the Pacific are separated by a total of three points. It's that tight as Edmonton has pushed their way into the conversation for division champion. It's a conversation that is nowhere near being completed, but at least Edmonton is in it. At their current .600 points percentage, the Oilers would finish the season with 99 points. That would more than likely get them into a spot for home-ice advantage in at least the opening round of the playoffs, if not more.
There is still so much to be decided and determined as Edmonton plans on continuing their pre-break play now that they are back together again. It's always nice to be on holidays, but it's always great to come home. It's doubly desirable when you return and the team is playing its best hockey of the season.
There's isn't much that is wrong in Edmonton's game and it's paramount they keep it that way. A four-game road trip through Detroit, Philadelphia, Ottawa and Montreal this week won't be easy, but the Oilers clearly understand it is time to get back to work.