Game day - Canucks at Oilers - Will youth be served this year?

So far it has been a rather interesting season and one wonders if this is the season of the breakout.

The Oilers have produced without any real impact from Horcoff and Hemsky due to balanced scoring. Hemsky will miss a second straight game due to illness. The balanced scoring has been great but lets get real, this team will need Ales Hemsky going at all cylinders if it wants to be a playoff team this season.

Tonight O'Sullivan gets added responsibility by playing the point on the PP in Souray's absence. Patty has been excellent this season, albeit a little snake bit around the net. I became an instant fan of Patty when after being knocked on his can by the devil himself - Boogard, he dusted himself up skated up the ice, stole the puck and made a great pass for an Oilers goal. He shows all sorts of hustle and knows how to play defensively as well. He is 24.

My eyes will also be in Smid. Ladi has started the season getting more responsibility, more ice time and so far has thrived. At the tender age of 23, this could be the start of a long, dependable career as a solid defensive dman.

I am still not convinced that the Oilers are a playoff team this season but the difference between last year and this year could be the kids turning into players. If that can continue and we get consistent performances from the veterans this team goes from a bubble team to a playoff team.