As if times weren't tough enough in Edmonton (ranked 28th in our power rankings), their mid-range forecast just got colder. Saturday night, their leading scorer Taylor Hall, (6 goals and 4 assists in 11 games), crashed into the net and end boards, invoking memories of Steven Stamkos' brutal injury from a year ago. Initial reports put him out 2-4 weeks with an MCL sprain, so the Oilers have dodged a major bullet, but still have to fill a hole in their lineup.

Now the question is who is going play with Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? Tuesday night, that privilege went to former Sudbury Wolves Benoit Pouliot; Pouliot had season-high 17:11 of ice time, all with Eberle and RNH. He also played 46% of the Oilers power play time. While his career 0.43 points per game are far from All-Star numbers, Pouliot has real chance to play top-line minute for the next month or so.

Other than Pouliot, the other top option for the Oilers would be to move 2012 first-overall draft pick Nail Yakupov up to the top line. To say that Yakupov has been somewhat of a disappointment (0.48 points per game) during his time in Edmonton would be an understatement; the winger has been benched on multiple occasions for a lack of defensive effort and awareness over his short career. This year, however, his defense has improved, and he seems to have more of coach Dallas Eakins' trust. If Eakins decides to try Yakupov on the top line we might finally get a glance at his ceiling.

The Oilers play Thursday, Friday and Sunday (@Bos, @Buf, @NYR), so there will plenty of opportunity to watch and see which way they'll go with their forwards