The Morning Skate: Oilers slow while Avalanche roll

Ron Smith, Sporting News What to expect in the NHL today. Hot and cold After a 6-2-1 start that surprised even the most optimistic fans in Edmonton, the Oilers have fallen on hard times—a tumble precipitated in equal parts by injuries, a three-week flu bug and listless play, both offensively and defensively. The Oilers have lost six of their last seven games—scoring only five goals in those six losses while being shut out three times—and play 11 of their next 16 games on the road. The one bright spot is the play of veteran Nikolai Khabibulin, who has posted a .910 save percentage despite being peppered by more shots than all but one goalie in the league. And it won't get any easier tonight when the Oilers play a red-hot Colorado team that has a hot goaltender of its own in Craig Anderson along with the best record in the Western Conference and a 6-0-0 mark on home ice. What a difference a year makes! The Avs will ... (link)