What can cause an otherwise talented team to sit near the bottom of the Western Conference with a record of 18-21-4?

Not having their captain, heart, and soul for the first 37 games of the season.

I believe things will turn around in Edmonton now that Ethan Moreau is back.  Going back to October 21, 2006, the Oil are 43-60-10 without "Chopper" in the lineup.

Since he has returned they are 3-2-1, and look a lot more energized.  Its hard for a team to play 43 games without a captain.

Another thing that has plagued the Oilers this year is the injury bug. Last season, they broke the NHL record for most man-games missed with 286—seventy games more than the previous record.  This season, they are at 186 man-games lost, including Monday night's drubbing of the Islanders.

It will not get any better for the Oilers in regard, as Raffi Torres is now out for the season. Add on the 39 games Torres will miss, and it brings this year's total to 225—and we're not even at the All-Star Break yet.

Inconsistency in goaltending this year is another factor in the disappointing record, as Roli has not returned to his form in Edmonton's 2006 Cup run.  In his place, Mathieu Garon seems to have established himself as the new top 'tender in the City of Champions.  He has started the last four games, including Monday night's shutout.

If the rest of the team can stay healthy, and Kevin Lowe can pick up a sniper before the deadline, I truly believe this team will not only challenge for a playoff spot—but could replay 2006, all over again.