I have shoelace in my teeth

• A team leading 16 goals
• A team leading 19 assists for 35 pts
• Tied for a team leading +3
• Tied for second in powerplay points
• Leads all forwards in time on ice (4 min/game ahead of the next guy)
• Tied for first in game winning goals

Horcoff scored his first point in 7 games against St. Louis on Jan. 2, correlatively it was Edmonton's first win in 7 games. He has been our leader in every imaginable category this season, offensively, defensively, and clutch in shoot outs. This is a very different player than I saw last year. He's got the same hustle, same determination, but has found a way to apply some skill and hockey sense to his work ethic.

What stands out? His shot and ability to get open to use it. He already has 16 goals which equals his total from last year and is 6 off his career high set in the magical season. He has clearly improved his shot, a quality he has credited to new sticks from Mexico. This is something that has allowed him to respect his shot more and use it.

This season it seems as Horcoff goes so do the Oilers, 15 goals in his first 32 games but only 1 in his last 10. In those 10 games the Oilers are 3-6-1. Penner is finding his game, if we can get Horcoff back on track and Hemsky healthy we might be able to string together some wins on the backs of our first line.

Lets start tonight.