We can't do anything about all these injuries that have hit our team this season. Injuries are just part of the game. We can't just lay down and be super grumpy and mope our way through the rest of the season just because some of our players are out of the lineup. There's 40 games to go. We can do something about it. We can play better than we have been lately and win some more games.

VANCOUVER -- We started the second half of our season with a huge win against the Rangers the other day and now we have to keep it going.

The road trip we start today is huge for us. The reality is we are only seven points out of a playoff spot. If we can get some wins against three division teams this weekend we'll be right there. We still have a chance to make it to the postseason. Giving up now wouldn't be smart because we have worked so hard this season to be better than last season and we've done that, and that's something we should take a lot of pride in and keep going.

• Earlier this week we all worked as "Celebrity Waiters" to raise money for our team's charity foundation. It's always been one of my favorite events of the year, and I had a great time. We try hard to serve the food and drinks without making a mess, but it's also a relaxing event because we get to interact with the fans on a casual level and get to know them. We also get to thank them and that's important because the fans are the ones donating money to our foundation, and that money helps make a difference in this community, which I love being part of now and for years to come.

• I'm very exacted the NHL picked Clayton Keller to represent our team at this year's All-Star Game. I think Kells deserves it. He's our best player. He's a highly skilled guy and he finds ways to put up points, and makes good plays and makes everybody around him better. It's going to be fun for him to go to the All-Star Game and be around the best players in the League. I'm sure he'll have a good time. I'm looking forward to watching him play on that stage.

I've been fortunate enough to have been named an All-Star twice, and I had a great time both times. I remember being very nervous my first time being around the All-Star Game because the place is packed with superstars. At one point I just decided the best thing to do was have fun with it and not worry so much about fitting in as a first-time All-Star. That's my advice to Kells.

• A reporter asked me the other day if I had made any New Year's resolutions for 2019. I told him I stopped making those because I always break them, usually right away, so really what's the point, right?

Happy New Year!

-- OEL