Author: Stephen Vani
Oilers fan in Toronto. Staying up past my bedtime for Western games since the mid 2000s.

Oilers Game 22: Winnipeg Jets
- Stephen Vani
- November 30, 2023
Not the ideal way to win your third straight game, but they did it. Up until the last seven and a half minutes, when they blew a 4-2 lead, they were playing some pretty decent hockey. I don’t totally blame Stuart Skinner for the last two goals, but it makes the save percentage worse than […]
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Oilers Game 21: Vegas Golden Knights
- Stephen Vani
- November 28, 2023
Well, Connor McDavid seems to be making a comeback. A four-point afternoon on Friday and a five-point night on Sunday enroute to an 8-2 victory over Anaheim. He became the second active player with four assists in back-to-back games along with Nicklas Backstrom in the 2007/2008 season. He’s also now the fourth Oiler after Wayne […]
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Oilers Game 20: Anaheim Ducks
- Stephen Vani
- November 26, 2023
I genuinely feel bad for Oilers fans who had to work on Friday afternoon. Their win against the Capitals was the best and most complete game they’ve played so far this season, and it’s not because it was a 5-0 final score. Some people like to throw in the term “statement game” a lot. Some […]
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Oilers Game 19: Washington Capitals
- Stephen Vani
- November 24, 2023
I hope that all of our American hockey fans and Inside The Rink readers had a happy Thanksgiving yesterday. I believe they have a lot to be thankful for. I am particularly cheering for teams that are not the Edmonton Oilers. In the Florida trip, they had two-goal leads that they couldn’t hang onto. Against […]
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Oilers Game 18: Carolina Hurricanes
- Stephen Vani
- November 22, 2023
Connor McDavid had his first two goal game of the season on Monday night. Yes, that does sound weird to say. No, I didn’t make that up. That’s how odd of a season it has been, along with every other issue plaguing the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid is currently on pace for 80 points in 80 […]
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Oilers Game 17: Florida Panthers
- Stephen Vani
- November 20, 2023
Saturday’s loss was bad. It’s one of those games you look back on later in a season and wish you could replay. But of course, no sports team wins every single game. The Oilers won three and lost one. That’s the sort of consistency they need to hang onto to make up for the points […]
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Oilers Game 16: Tampa Bay Lightning
- Stephen Vani
- November 18, 2023
Not the ideal way to win your third straight game, but that’s what matters in the end. Down 3-1 late in the third period, and then Evander Kane becomes a hero with the hat-trick. Before this comeback win against the Kraken, remember that Edmonton had a decisive 4-1 win against them on the road last […]
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Oilers Game 15: Seattle Kraken
- Stephen Vani
- November 15, 2023
They won again? I mean, they won again. Of course, they won again; who said they wouldn’t? You said it, not me. It took a month, but the Edmonton Oilers finally have a two-game winning streak. It was also just their first win at Rogers Place this season. Their other home win was during the […]
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Oilers Game 14: New York Islanders
- Stephen Vani
- November 13, 2023
I’ve never felt disappointed writing about a win before. I went to bed on Saturday night with relief that the Oilers played perhaps their best game of the season and finally got another win. All four of their goals were in the first period, and neither Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl got points on any […]
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Oilers Game 13: Seattle Kraken
- Stephen Vani
- November 11, 2023
A win, my kingdom for a win. My kingdom for saves, my kingdom for defense, and my kingdom for offense. Of all the low points in the first 12 games of the season, Thursday night’s loss to the San Jose Sharks was the lowest. At least San Jose already recorded their first win before beating […]
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