Oilers Still Searching for Consistency After Up-and-Down November - But These Three Players Delivered
The Edmonton Oilers wrapped up November with a record that perfectly sums up their season so far: inconsistent. A 6-6-2 month leaves them at 11-10-5 overall, sitting sixth in the Pacific Division and on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. It’s not where this team expected to be after the first two months of the season.
Part of the challenge? A grueling road-heavy schedule.
Edmonton has already logged a league-high 17 road games, going 6-8-3 away from Rogers Place. At home, they’ve been much more solid, posting a 5-2-2 mark in just nine games.
That imbalance has made it tough to build rhythm - or momentum.
Still, despite the team’s rollercoaster ride, a few players stood out in November. Let’s take a closer look at the Oilers’ three stars of the month - players who not only delivered, but gave Edmonton fans something to rally around.
Third Star: Evan Bouchard - Finding His Groove on the Blue Line
After a shaky October, Evan Bouchard flipped the script in November - and not a moment too soon. The 26-year-old defenseman had a tough start to the season, struggling with turnovers and looking out of sync in his own zone. But over the past month, Bouchard has reminded everyone why he’s considered the top blueliner on this roster.
He logged three goals and 15 points in 14 games during November, bringing his season total to 22 points in 26 games. That’s elite production from the back end, and it’s backed by serious minutes - Bouchard leads the team in ice time, averaging nearly 24 minutes per game. He’s on pace for the highest workload of his career.
More importantly, his defensive play has taken a step forward. He’s been more physical, more decisive, and far more reliable with the puck.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch took notice, saying, “I think he has been playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play.” High praise - and deserved.
His performance against Florida stood out, where he notched three points and made a pair of highlight-reel setups. If Bouchard can keep this level of play going, it could be a turning point for both his season and the Oilers’ blue line.
Second Star: Connor McDavid - Back to MVP Form
Connor McDavid doesn’t just lead the Oilers in scoring - he’s once again reminding the league why he’s the most dangerous player on the planet. After a relatively quiet start by his standards, McDavid caught fire in November with 22 points in 14 games, including eight goals and a pair of three-point nights.
He opened the month with an eight-game point streak, racking up 16 points during that stretch alone. And when McDavid gets rolling like that, it changes everything for Edmonton. His skating, vision, and ability to create time and space continue to be unmatched.
One key difference? He’s shooting more - and it’s paying off.
McDavid leads the team with 74 shots on goal, six more than linemate Leon Draisaitl. That aggressiveness is translating into production, and it’s helped vault him to third in the NHL in points and first in assists.
While he could easily have been the Oilers’ top star for November, there’s one player whose emergence made an even bigger impact - especially given the expectations coming in.
First Star: Jack Roslovic - The Surprise Spark Plug
No one saw this coming. Jack Roslovic has been the Oilers’ most consistent forward not named McDavid - and in November, he may have been their most valuable player.
The 26-year-old forward exploded for nine goals and 14 points in 13 games last month, including 10 points at even strength and two game-winners. He had four multi-point games and was held off the scoresheet just three times. For a team that has struggled to generate offense outside of its top stars, Roslovic’s production at 5-on-5 has been a game-changer.
He’s been a seamless fit in the top six, bringing speed, creativity, and a nose for the net. And for a team that’s been searching for secondary scoring, Roslovic has delivered in a big way.
Unfortunately, the Oilers will have to find a way to manage without him for the next couple of weeks. He went down with an injury after blocking a shot in Edmonton’s 8-3 loss to Dallas and will miss time. It’s a tough blow - Roslovic has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise uneven start to the season.
With him out, the pressure is on the rest of the forward group to step up. If the Oilers are going to climb back into playoff contention, they’ll need more than just McDavid and Draisaitl to carry the load.
Looking Ahead
November was a mixed bag for Edmonton - flashes of brilliance, stretches of struggle, and a whole lot of questions still to be answered. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that key players are starting to find their form.
Bouchard looks like a true No. 1 defenseman. McDavid is heating up.
And Roslovic has been a revelation.
Now, the Oilers need to find a way to string it all together - and fast. December won’t offer many breaks. But if this team can build off the individual performances we saw last month, they’ve still got time to turn things around.