Description: Oilers defenseman Corey Potter netted a pair of goals Friday in a win over Minnesota.
Insight: He finished the night with a +3 rating. Potter has only scored eight goals in 103 NHL games so don't expect this to happen on a regular basis.
Description: According to a report from the Oilers' Twitter account, center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss the rest of the season due to a labral tear in his shoulder. He is expected to have surgery. RNH says his expected procedure is close to the one teammate Taylor Hall had last season.
Insight: Nugent-Hopkins' numbers are down from his rookie year, when he had 18 goals and 52 points in 62 games. He has four goals and 24 points over 40 games this season, but 13 of those points have come over the last 13 games.
Description: Hot-headed Oilers left wing Taylor Hall could be facing another suspension for a slash on Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek Wednesday night in Edmonton.
Insight: Hall was given a two-game ban earlier in the year for kneeing Minnesota's Cal Clutterbuck so he's beginning to gain a reputation for playing dirty. That certainly won't help his case when the league sits down to discuss Hall's actions against Michalek. The 21-year-old had been on a huge hot streak earlier in the month but he's been held scoreless over his last four contests.
Description: Edmonton netminder Devan Dubnyk will draw the start Wednesday versus Phoenix.
Insight: Dubnyk has lost two straight starts but he played well in both games. The 26-year-old goalie has a 2.50 GAA and .923 SV% this season. Backup Nikolai Khabibulin isn't a threat to Dubnyk's job right now after allowing eight goals over his last two starts.
Description: Edmonton right wing Nail Yakupov potted two goals Wednesday in a win over Calgary.
Insight: All those years of losing are finally paying off for Edmonton. By stockpiling the last three No. 1 overall picks (Taylor Hall, Mike Nugent-Hopkins and Yakupov), the Oilers have built a young core that should be good for many years to come. The future is now, Oilers fans.
Description: Oilers center Jordan Eberle lit the lamp twice Wednesday in a win over Calgary.
Insight: Edmonton scored eight goals in this game so just about everyone found the net at one point or another. Eberle has been incredibly productive during the team's five-game winning streak (five goals, three assists, +9).
Description: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins netted two goals Wednesday in Edmonton's 8-2 onslaught of Calgary.
Insight: Everything is clicking in Edmonton right now and Nugent-Hopkins has a lot to do with it. The forward has 10 points in his last five games. Over that span, he's collected an absurd +9 rating in 16 minutes of ice time per game. With 19-year-old Nugent-Hopkins and 21-year-old Taylor Hall running the show, it looks like the Oilers are going to be the team to beat in a few years.
Description: Oilers left wing Taylor Hall stayed hot with a goal and four assists Wednesday in an 8-2 triumph over Calgary.
Insight: Hall is playing out of his mind right now. During Edmonton's five-game winning streak, Hall has reigstered 14 points with a +9 rating. Oh yeah and he's only 21. It's safe to stay the future is looking pretty bright for this kid.
Description: Edmonton netminder Devan Dubnyk picked up his second shutout of the year Saturday against the Canucks.
Insight: Dubnyk is quietly having a pretty good season. His .920 save percentage this year is tenth-best in the NHL. Dubnyk's 2.58 GAA is also a career-high.
Description: Edmonton left wing Taylor Hall converted on three of his five scoring opportunities Saturday versus Vancouver.
Insight: Hall has been riding quite the hot streak. He's now produced eight points and a +5 rating over his last four games. His 34 points this season rank fifth in the Western Conference.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will get another start between the pipes Thursday versus Columbus.
Insight: Khabibulin made his last start count with a 43 saves and a shutout against St. Louis on Tuesday. Look for the Oilers to roll with the hot hand between Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk down the stretch.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin blanked the Blues by saving 43 shots Tuesday night.
Insight: Khabibulin missed a month with an injury and he has been splitting time with Devan Dubnyk since returning on March 23. Tuesday's performance should get him more starts, but he's going to be risky for fantasy owners given Edmonton's poor defense.
Description: Oilers left wing Taylor Hall had three points, three SOG and a +3 Tuesday against the Blues.
Insight: Hall has 13 points in 12 games this month and 30 points in 29 games this season. He's the only one in Edmonton's young core (Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) who hasn't regressed.
Description: Edmonton winger Jordan Eberle came through with two goals and one assist with four SOG and two PIM Tuesday against the Blues.
Insight: Eberle had 34 goals and 76 points in 78 games last season but he has taken a step back in 2012-13. He has nine goals and 23 points in 32 games.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will start Tuesday against the Blues.
Insight: Khabibulin allowed three goals to St. Louis in his last appearance after missing a month with an injury. He'll be splitting time with Devan Dubnyk going forward.
Description: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (flu) is now doubtful for Saturday's game due to a lingering flu bug. The illness has kept him on the sidelines since Wednesday. "What I had hoped was a 24-hour flu, which has hit multiple players here, is deeper than that. (Nugent-Hopkins) is still extremely weak today" coach Ralph Krueger said. "With that being at least three days, we expect he will need as many days to get back." SOURCE: Edmonton Journal
Insight: Nugent-Hopkins, the 2011 No. 1 overall pick, has regressed from 18 goals and 34 assists in 62 games last season to just two goals and nine assists in 27 games this season.
Description: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (flu) is expected to play Saturday after missing Wednesday's game.
Insight: Nugent-Hopkins, the 2011 No. 1 overall pick, has regressed from 18 goals and 34 assists in 62 games last season to just two goals and nine assists in 27 games this season.
Description: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (flu) is expected to play Saturday after missing Wednesday's game. SOURCE: Edmonton Journal
Insight: Nugent-Hopkins, the 2011 No. 1 overall pick, has regressed from 18 goals and 34 assists in 62 games last season to just two goals and nine assists in 27 games this season.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (groin injury) is probable for Friday's game against Detroit.
Insight: Khabibulin's arrival sends Yann Danis back to the minors. Khabibulin (2-2-1, 2.11 GAA, .935 SV%) will likely stay in the backup role until the Oilers play back-to-back games on March 25 and 26.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (groin injury) is probable for Friday's game against Detroit.
Insight: Khabibulin's arrival sends Yann Danis back to the minors. There is no word yet whether Khabibulin (2-2-1, 2.11 GAA, .935 SV%) will start on Friday or be the backup.
Description: Edmonton center Sam Gagner sent the Blackhawks to their second straight loss Sunday by scoring two goals in 19 minutes of ice time.
Insight: Both of Gagner's goals came in the first period with one coming on the power play and the other at even strength. Despite scoring two goals, Gagner finished the game with a -1 rating.
Description: Edmonton winger Jordan Eberle (hand) was active Tuesday and had an assist with four SOG.
Insight: Eberle has a four-game point streak with five assists in that stretch after only producing five points in the first 11 games of February. It appears his injured hand is that much of a concern since he skated 18 minutes Tuesday.
Description: Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (hamstring) returned from a one-game absence and notched an assist with three SOG Tuesday against the Blue Jackets.
Insight: Hall missed three of Edmonton's last five games. Thanks in large part to his 15 assists, Hall is playing at a point-per-game pace in 2012-13.
Description: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney scored his second goal of the season Tuesday against Columbus.
Insight: His first goal came on March 1. The veteran defenseman has been a healthy scratch for much of this season but he could be earning himself more playing time with his recent performance.
Description: Oilers left wing Taylor Hall is sitting out Sunday's game against the Wild because of a hamstring injury.
Insight: Including tonight's game, Hall has now missed three of Edmonton's last five games. Two of those absences were the result of a two-game suspension Hall received after kneeing Minnesota right wing Cal Clutterbuck. Hall is hoping to be back in action Tuesday against the Blue Jackets.
Description: Edmonton left wing Taylor Hall got banged up in Friday night's loss to St. Louis but he's still expected to play Sunday versus Minnesota.
Insight: Hall strained his leg and also took a shot to the arm before exiting in the second period. He's registered a point in four out of his last five games, which makes Hall a must-start as long as he's healthy.
Description: Edmonton defenseman Corey Potter left Thursday's game with a head injury and did not return. With all head injuries, predicting a return date is difficult.
Insight: Potter has yet to score in 12 games this season, has a -5 rating, very few penalty minutes and has taken just eight shots on goal. All-in-all a fantasy non-entity.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin has been placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.
Insight: Khabibulin was hurt Monday against Chicago. He had been cutting into Devan Dubnyk's playing time, starting three of the last four games for Edmonton.
Description: Oilers left wing Taylor Hall has served his two game suspension two games for kneeing Wild right wing Cal Clutterbuck on Thursday and is probable for Thursday's game against Dallas.
Insight: Hall is tied for sixth in the NHL with 13 assists this season and should be re-installed in all fantasy lineups in time for Thursday's game.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will start Saturday's game against Phoenix.
Insight: This will be Khabibulin's second start in the last three games. Starter Devan Dubnyk has allowed 10 goals over his last 139 minutes (4.31 GAA).
Description: Oilers' forward Lennart Petrell missed Tuesday's game and is doubtful for Thursday's game against Minnesota due to a head injury, possibly a concussion.
Insight: Petrell isn't on fantasy radar screens with just one goal and no assists in 13 games.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will get the start between the pipes Tuesday night against the Kings.
Insight: It will be Khabibulin's second start of the season. The backup may have earned himself more playing time by holding Colorado to one goal in 40 minutes Saturday after relieving Devan Dubnyk. Dubnyk had given up three goals in the first period.
Description: Edmonton center Teemu Hartikainen is probable for Tuesday's game against Los Angeles with a bruised shoulder.
Insight: He's not much of a scorer so fantasy owners will not be effected by his absence or play. To date he's got zero goals and two assists in 13 games.
Description: Edmonton Oilers rookie defenseman Justin Schultz was thought to be ready to play on Saturday, but after missing Friday's practice is still listed as questionable for the game against Colorado.
Insight: Schultz is off to a solid start this season with four goals and three assists in 13 games. He is the offensive part of a pairing with Nick Schultz.
Description: Oilers coach Ralph Krueger said that rookie defenseman Justin Schultz is "98 percent" to play Saturday. SOURCE: Dan Tencer, 630 CHED
Insight: Schultz left Thursday's practice with undisclosed "tightness" and didn't participate Friday despite Krueger saying that he expected him to be available. We aren't exactly confident that Schultz will play Saturday.
Description: Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk saved 39 shots on 40 attempts Sunday to beat Columbus 3-1.
Insight: Dubnyk must have been well rested after finally getting his first day off this season on Saturday. The 26-year-old is 5-3-3 with an excellent .928 SV% and 2.45 GAA. He's averaging 33 saves per game.
Description: Oilers center Sam Gagner had a goal, as assist, two SOG and a plus-2 Sunday against the Blue Jackets.
Insight: Gagner is getting most of his ice time centering a line with rookie Nail Yakupov and Ales Hemsky, who have five goals apiece. He is producing at better than a point-per-game pace (13 points, 12 games) in his sixth NHL season. He has put up a point total in the 40s in five straight seasons so this pace is unlikely to last, but fantasy owners can give him a shot anyway while he's hot.
Description: Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk should be fresh when he starts Sunday's game against the Blue Jackets. He was given his first rest of the season Saturday.
Insight: Dubnyk started Edmonton's first 10 games while Nikolai Khabibulin recovered from offseason hip surgery. Dubnyk hasn't played since Feb. 6 against Dallas so he should be 100 percent against a weak Columbus offense Sunday evening.
Description: Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin started Saturday for the first time since March 30, 2012 and he looked good in a loss to Detroit.
Insight: Detroit sent 30 shots at Khabibulin but he stopped 28 in a tough-luck loss. The veteran had offseason hip surgery and Devan Dubnyk started the first 10 games for Edmonton. Now that Khabibulin is healthy, we could see more of a split with the goaltending starts.
Description: Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk hasn't won any of his last three starts despite holding opponents to seven goals in 188 minutes.
Insight: Dubnyk has played well over his last five starts (2-1-2, 1.73 GAA), making 174 saves on 183 shots. He'll start Wednesday as the Oilers take on Dallas, another team that allows a ton of SOG.
Description: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss Wednesday's game against Dallas with an undisclosed injury but he is expected to be back Saturday against Detroit. SOURCE: Edmonton Journal
Insight: Nugent-Hopkins was banged up in overtime Monday against Vancouver. Coach Ralph Krueger said that RNH could play Wednesday but the team doesn't want to force him into a situation where he isn't 100 percent. Nugent-Hopkins has five assists and 17 shots in his first nine games.
Description: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney expects to be back in the lineup Wednesday after being a healthy scratch Monday. SOURCE: EdmontonOilers.com
Insight: Whitney played in the first eight games and had three assists. However, the veteran also has a minus-21 differential over his last 59 games (including minus-5 this season).
Description: Edmonton center Shawn Horcoff is questionable for Monday's game against Vancouver with a strained neck. He's missed the team's last two contests.
Insight: The team is being conservative with Horcoff who posted 34 points last season (13 G, 21 A). He has a goal and an assist in six games this season. "If it was the playoffs? Yeah, I'd be there," he told the Edmonton Journal.
Description: Edmonton center Shawn Horcoff is questionable for Saturday's game against Colorado with a strained neck.
Insight: The team is being conservative with Horcoff who posted 34 points last season (13 G, 21 A). He has a goal and an assist in six games this season. "If it was the playoffs? Yeah, I'd be there," he told the Edmonton Journal.
Description: Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk allowed just one goal in 64 minutes Wednesday against Phoenix (27 saves) in an overtime win.
Insight: Dubnyk needed this type of effort to distance himself from backup Nikolai Khabibulin, who has been cleared to play following hip surgery. Dubnyk hadn't put together two straight good starts prior to Monday and Wednesday this week, but he now has four wins, a .916 SV% and 2.75 GAA in six starts.
Description: Oilers rookie forward Nail Yakupov had another clutch goal Wednesday in overtime against the Coyotes.
Insight: Yakupov had a game-tying goal last week with five seconds remaining against the Kings before Edmonton won in overtime and he memorably went sliding on his knees halfway across the ice. He was more reserved this time. Edmonton's celebration didn't last long since Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris got into a fight with the Oilers' Ryan Whitney. The 19-year-old Yakupov already has four goals in his first six NHL games.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (hip surgery) has been cleared to play but he won't start Wednesday against Phoenix.
Insight: Khabibulin went 12-20-7 with a .910 SV% and 2.65 GAA last season. Devan Dubnyk has started the first five games for the Oilers, going 3-2 with a 3.18 GAA and .907 save percentage, and he'll man the crease again Wednesday.
Description: Updating a previous report, the Oilers will go with Devan Dubnyk in net Wednesday against the Coyotes.
Insight: Backup Nikolai Khabibulin has been cleared to play following hip surgery but Dubnyk will start again Wednesday, according to Edmonton's Twitter account. Dubnyk hasn't put together two straight solid performances yet this season so things could get rough Wednesday against Phoenix.
Description: The Edmonton Oilers placed Ben Eager on the IR with a concussion.
Insight: Wingers who haven't cracked the 20-point mark in any season have little fantasy value, though Eager has amassed more than 100 penalty minutes in each of the last four seasons for those who need help in one category.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (hip surgery) flew with the team to Phoenix and could get a start in one of the games on their current road trip.
Insight: Khabibulin went 12-20-7 with a .910 SV% and 2.65 GAA last season. Devan Dubnyk has been in the net for all five Oilers' games this season going 3-2 with a 3.18 GAA and .907 save percentage.
Description: Edmonton right wing Jordan Eberle had one goal and one assist Saturday night.
Insight: Eberle is a part of Edmonton's young core of former first-round draft picks. He's just 22 years old but already has 124 points under his belt at the NHL level, including five (2 G, 3 A) with 17 SOG in four games this season.
Description: Oilers rookie defenseman Justin Schultz factored into all three of Edmonton's goals Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Calgary. He scored one and assisted on two.
Insight: Schultz had a ridiculous 48 points (18 G, 30 A) and 93 SOG in 34 games with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL during the lockout after de-registering from the University of Wisconsin in May. The 22-year-old already has two goals and four assists with 14 shots on goal in four games and has been utilized on the top even-strength and power-play lines so far.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk will start Saturday against Calgary.
Insight: Dubnyk has a 3.70 GAA but six of his nine goals against came in 20 minutes on Jan. 22 against the high-powered Sharks. If you're going to start him, Saturday would be a good day to do so as Dubnyk gets the lowly Flames.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk will get another shot in the crease Thursday when the Oilers face the Kings. Dubnyk allowed six goals in 17 shots in the first period Tuesday against the Sharks and was pulled.
Insight: Dubnyk picked up a shootout victory against the Canucks in the season opener but he was bombarded Tuesday. The slumping Kings present a better matchup for Dubnyk on Thursday but we would look for other options.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk's night didn't last long Tuesday against the Sharks. He was pulled one period in after giving up six goals on 17 shots.
Insight: Dubnyk picked up a shootout victory against the Canucks in the season opener but he was bombarded Tuesday. Seventeen shots on goal in one period is just absurd. If he starts Thursday, Dubnyk could be in line for a bounce-back effort against the slumping Kings.
Description: Rookie defenseman Justin Schultz scored his first NHL goal Tuesday against San Jose.
Insight: Schultz was a standout with the University of Wisconsin before de-registering last May and signing with Edmonton. He had a ridiculous 48 points (18 G, 30 A) and 93 SOG in 34 games with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL during the lockout. Schultz should be universally owned.
Description: Edmonton had a pair of highly-touted youngsters score their first NHL goal Tuesday night against the Sharks. Nail Yakupov, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, was one of them.
Insight: Defenseman Justin Schultz was the other. Yakupov is getting significant playing time on the Oilers' second line and top power-play unit so he should be able to contribute solid fantasy numbers as a 19-year-old. Just don't expect a good plus/minus (-4 already).
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk will go into Tuesday's matchup hot after besting the Canucks 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.
Insight: Dubnyk played all 65 minutes, saved 27 shots and didn't allow a goal during the shootout. He'll have a tough matchup Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, who ranked 13th in the NHL last season in goals scored.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (hip) will begin the season on the injured list. SOURCE: Dan Tencer, 630 CHED
Insight: Khabibulin went 12-20-7 with a .910 SV% and 2.65 GAA last season and finished as the 48th best goaltender in default Yahoo! leagues. Devan Dubnyk will serve as the starting netminder for the time being, with Yann Danis serving as a backup. Dubnyk started 47 games last season for Edmonton and won 20 with a .914 SV% and 2.67 GAA.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is questionable for the start of the season. He's still recovering from hip surgery. SOURCE: Derek Van Diest, Edmonton Sun
Insight: Khabibulin went 12-20-7 with a .910 SV% and 2.65 GAA last season and finished as the 48th best goaltender in default Yahoo! leagues.
Description: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is questionable for the start of the season after offseason hip surgery.
Insight: Khabibulin has not been cleared by the doctors to play, but has been skating with the WHL Oil Kings, according to the Edmonton Journal. His pain will mean more playing time for Devan Dubnyk, though in what should be a very compressed schedule, teams are going to need two goalies to keep them both healthy and fresh.
Description: The Edmonton Oilers signed Jordan Eberle to a six-year, $36 million contract extension Thursday.
Insight: Eberle, a 22-year-old right winger, had 76 points (34 G, 42 A) last season, finishing 62nd overall in Yahoo! leagues. He should only continue to improve as one of the cornerstones of the Oilers' franchise along with former No. 1 overall picks Taylor Hall, Nail Yakupov and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Description: According to the Edmonton Sun, 20-year-old winger Taylor Hall was back on the ice Wednesday four months after undergoing major shoulder surgery. Hall is wearing full equipment but not taking any contact during his training sessions.
Insight: Hall has battled injuries in his first two seasons in the NHL after being drafted first overall by the Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft. The young winger said the injury hampered him somewhat last season but he said his shoulder feels "brand new." This could be a big year for him, but he is always at risk for injury due to his hard nosed style of play.
