GENE'S BLOG: Time for a break

Time off for good behaviour.
The Oilers have a break, but they went into time off for the All-Star festivities sporting a smile.
It was two-fold why they went into nine days without a game and seven days without a practice grinning ear-to-ear. I was the big win they recorded over Chicago that put them at 10-3-2 since Christmas and 7-0-1 in their last eight to have them knocking on the Pacific Division's first-place door only a few points away from top spot.
It was the story of the night, but the story of a lifetime was Matt Berlin. The goaltender went from studying for a psychology mid-term at the University of Alberta to furthering his hockey education in the NHL -- an unbelievable moment that included a blocker save, a post-game Hockey Night in Canada interview and the player of the game vest for filling in for the ill Stuart Skinner.
While Berlin went back to work or at least school Monday, there was no work to be done by the Oilers for a week. Nothing was on their agenda other than some R and R.
"I'm going to Palm Springs with my wife and (daughter) Ryleigh," said the normally mild-mannered Brett Kulak, who had a heavy-throwing, spirited scrap with Chicago's Sam Lafferty. "I wish it was just about laying in a hammock for five or six days but I will try to keep the body and mind active."

For most people with a week off from work and no scheduled workouts, it's not really a big deal. But for pro athletes who often have one or two workouts a day, going multiple days without activity is noticeable. "I think its important to do something," said the Stony Plain-born Oiler. "It may just start with a walk, some yoga or even stretching."
It's not too much of a stretch to clear your schedule for at least a short while with the belief the break in late January/early February will pay off in May or June.
"For players, we gauge them with sports science that gives them everything they need," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft explained. "They are pros. The expectation is they are taking care of themselves and will be ready to go post-break."
The head coach is mixing a little business with pleasure. "For me personally, I'm going to spend some time with my family. It's time you don't always get with coaches' hours," the father of two daughters said. "My plan is also to watch our AHL team in Calgary to see what players are trending in the right direction."

The one direction almost all the Oilers are going is south. Some hopped on a red-eye flight after the game. There were those that were off early Sunday morning and the destination was Mexico -- more specifically, Cabo San Lucas. "I'm going to Cabo with Hollsy (Dylan Holloway) and Clouder (Ryan McLeod)," said Bouch (Evan Bouchard). "We are going to hang at the same resort."
They aren't the only ones.
"We plan on also meeting up with Soup (Jack Campbell)," the Oilers blueliner said. "Monday is going to be a boat day, which will include Tys (Tyson Barrie)."
Win as a team and relax as one as well.
Some of the newest Oilers, like Vincent Desharnais and Philip Broberg, will be heading home. Desharnais was hoping for a stint in Montreal during the season for the first time in years, and Broberg was headed to his previous hockey home in Bakersfield to pick up a few rounds of golf and clothes he left behind after his most recent call-up.
Wherever they go and whomever they go with, the Oilers will be back to business this Sunday with practice. In a week, it will be a flight to Detroit followed by a game in Hockeytown on Tuesday. It'll be a return to work after it was time for a well-deserved break.