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Hot Oilers hold onto faint playoff hopes

Edmonton Oilers v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Ryan Whitney #6 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 23, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 5-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Despite the odds, the Edmonton Oilers haven’t completely lost faith. They still think that they have an outside shot of making the playoffs and after going 4-0-1 against the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings, it’s hard to blame them. The math doesn’t work in their favor, but the more immediate problem is that they’re going to be playing their next three games on the road.

“We have to go at least 2-1 on this trip to have any kind of chance,” said Ryan Whitney. “Obviously it’s going to be really tough, but if we’re going down, we’re going down with a fight.”

They certainly have been putting up a good fight, but winning two out of three road games is a tall order for a team that has a pitiful 6-18-2 record outside of the Rexall Place this season. Still, you can bet they’ll be giving it their all on Monday when the incredibly hot Sam Gagner and the Oilers face the Leafs and James Reimer, who has earned back-to-back shutouts. After that, Detroit will get a shot at revenge on Wednesday after the Oilers managed to squeeze out a victory in Saturday’s contest.