Kyle Wellwood on the receiving end of a Cam Barker love tap in the playoffs

The Oilers have been playing really well lately, their best hockey of the season.  That may be somewhat of a surprising position given a look at their record, but it's true.  Without their best player and best all-around centre, the Oilers have strung together three very close defeats at the hands of three very good teams.  They were more competitive against San Jose, Los Angeles, and now the red-hot and loaded Vancouver Canucks than they were in many wins this season.

The Canucks were the best team of the three and it showed, they had consistent puck possession and as the game went along they figured out how to limit the Oilers tendency to create odd-man rushes.  San Jose, not gifted with the fastest players in the league, had the roughest time with the Oilers.  Los Angeles, despite improving defensively in recent games - in particular their wins against Detroit, Nashville, and especially Colorado - is inconsistent at that spot as the Oilers showed.  If it was later in the season, and coaches were gathering video for a potential playoff matchup, I suspect the young Oilers success at breaking LA's defence might make for coach's room or locker room viewing.  LA looked awfully exposed.

Vancouver did not, but they're one of the favorites to win the Cup and the best team in the West along with Detroit.

Today's game against Buffalo will be telling.  The Oilers have had three close defeats in a row, and those can demoralize - especially giving up a lead and then a game winning goal late against Vancouver.  Their compete level against Buffalo today will be telling, since that's a team they can beat.  Hemsky's return to the lineup may very well spark them into a performance, or it may lead to some confusion.  Do you split up Hall and Eberle? Regardless, Hemsky should help the embarrassing power play.

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