The Edmonton Oilers are navigating another season filled with highs and lows. They kicked off with some shaky performances, posting records of 5-4-3 in October and 6-6-2 in November.
December brought a spark of hope with a solid 9-5-1 record, and they started January strong at 3-1-1. However, a three-game losing streak heading into the Olympic break, capped by a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames, has left them in a tight spot.
With 24 games left in the regular season, the Oilers find themselves in the thick of a competitive Western Conference playoff race. Let’s dive into the standings and see where they stand.
In the Central Division, the top three teams seem locked in. The Colorado Avalanche are having a stellar season, leading the league with a 37-9-9 record.
They're followed by the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, both holding strong positions in the division and league standings. These teams have a comfortable lead over their divisional rivals.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Division is a battleground. The Vegas Golden Knights are leading with a 27-16-14 record, but their position is precarious.
They're just four points ahead of the Oilers and five ahead of the Seattle Kraken. Despite being at the top, Vegas has more overtime losses than wins, making their lead vulnerable.
The Oilers have a realistic shot at overtaking them.
The Oilers, sitting second in the division with 64 points, are actually fourth in points percentage at 0.552, trailing behind Seattle and Anaheim, both at 0.563. Seattle’s success is largely due to their stellar goaltending, with Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer leading the charge.
Anaheim is also on the rise, showing significant offensive improvement. Their young guns, like Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, are stepping up, and rookies like Beckett Sennecke are making their mark. Veterans Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund have added depth and experience to the lineup.
The Los Angeles Kings, with a 0.536 points percentage, are still in the mix, especially after acquiring Artemi Panarin. Behind them, teams like Utah, Nashville, and San Jose are still eyeing a wild-card spot.
For the Oilers, the path forward is clear: they need to elevate their game in the final stretch. Their current points percentage is lower than it has been in recent years, making a top-three finish in the Pacific crucial to avoid a tough first-round matchup against Colorado.
An extended break might just be what the Oilers need, especially for players beyond McDavid and Draisaitl. Returning to full health, with key players like Zach Hyman and Jake Walman back in action, will be vital.
Any strategic trade deadline moves could also provide a boost. The return of Paul Coffey as an assistant coach could stabilize their defense and enhance puck movement.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Oilers as they aim to solidify their playoff position and make a strong push in the Western Conference.