The Edmonton Oilers wrapped up January with an 8-5-2 record, pushing their season total to 28-20-8 and 64 points - good enough to sit tied atop the Pacific Division standings. But before anyone starts planning a parade, there’s some context worth unpacking.
The Oilers have played two more games than the Vegas Golden Knights, and with 11 of January’s 15 games played at home, a 5-5-1 mark at Rogers Place feels like a missed opportunity. This was a month that could’ve been about separation - instead, it was survival.
The good news? The Oilers finally strung together their first three-game win streak of the season.
That leaves the St. Louis Blues as the only team in the league still without one.
But for a team that’s shown it can catch fire and rattle off extended heaters in past seasons, we’re still waiting for that signature surge - the kind that puts the rest of the West on notice.
The familiar script continues: the stars are carrying the load, while the bottom six still can’t seem to find consistent production. And while that’s been a season-long theme, January gave us a chance to spotlight a few standout performances. Here are the Oilers’ three stars of the month - and they’ve earned every bit of the recognition.
Third Star: Zach Hyman
Zach Hyman just keeps doing Zach Hyman things - crashing the net, winning puck battles, and, most importantly, lighting the lamp. He scored 10 goals in 15 games this month, including a stretch of three straight games with a goal near the end of January. Add in 14 total points and five multipoint games, and you’re looking at a guy who’s not just contributing - he’s driving results.
What stands out with Hyman is how he generates his offense. He’s not waiting for the perfect pass on the perimeter or looking for highlight-reel setups.
He creates chaos in front of the crease, battles in the dirty areas, and makes life miserable for opposing goalies. And it’s working.
Since returning from injury, he’s racked up 22 goals and 36 points in 37 games - a pace that speaks for itself.
Consistency is his calling card. While others ebb and flow, Hyman shows up night after night with the same relentless energy. It’s the kind of effort that sets a tone, and the Oilers could use a few more players following that example.
Second Star: Connor McDavid
When Connor McDavid isn’t the first star of the month, it’s not because he’s slowing down - it’s because someone else had a month for the ages. McDavid was, once again, exceptional.
He tallied 10 goals and 25 points in 15 games, including a hat trick, nine multipoint games, and a five-point night for good measure. He was held off the scoresheet just three times all month and closed January on a four-game point streak, after opening with points in six straight.
He now leads the NHL with 95 points in 56 games - a staggering pace, even by his own lofty standards. December was a historic month for McDavid, one of the best we’ve seen from any NHL player in decades, so January might feel quieter by comparison.
But don’t be fooled - this was still MVP-caliber hockey from No. 97.
Every time he steps on the ice, McDavid reminds us why he’s the most dynamic player in the world. Whether it’s his edge work, his vision, or his ability to take over a game in a single shift, he continues to be the heartbeat of this team. And when he’s rolling, the Oilers have a shot against anyone.
First Star: Evan Bouchard
Evan Bouchard’s January wasn’t just impressive - it was historic. The 26-year-old blueliner has been clutch all season, but this past month he took it to another level.
Let’s start with Jan. 29 against San Jose. The Oilers were down 3-0 heading into the third period, staring down a brutal home loss.
But they battled back, and Bouchard was at the center of it all. He tied the game with just a minute left in regulation - a classic “Bouch bomb” from the point - and finished the night with three points as Edmonton pulled off a 4-3 overtime win.
Just five days earlier, Bouchard made franchise history. Against the Capitals, he became the first Oilers defenseman in 20 years to record a hat trick. Not only that, but he racked up six points - a career high and the most by an Edmonton defenseman in a single game since Paul Coffey’s legendary eight-point night in 1986.
For the month, Bouchard posted eight goals and 22 points in 15 games, with a plus-12 rating. He had five multipoint games, opened January on a five-game point streak, and closed it on another five-game run.
He was held off the scoresheet just three times. His 60 points on the season tie him with Zach Werenski for the league lead among defensemen, four clear of Cale Makar and Lane Hutson.
He’s not just padding stats - he’s delivering in big moments. Whether it’s a late-game equalizer or a multi-point explosion, Bouchard is showing why he belongs in the conversation with the NHL’s elite defensemen. And while he might not have landed a spot on the Olympic roster, he’s making a loud case for why that decision might’ve been a mistake.
Final Thoughts
January was a mixed bag for the Oilers. They had the schedule in their favor, but couldn’t quite capitalize.
Still, the individual performances - especially from Bouchard, McDavid, and Hyman - kept them in the fight. With the Pacific Division still up for grabs, Edmonton needs more than just its stars to step up.
But if these three keep producing at this level, the Oilers are going to be a tough out down the stretch.