As the Olympic break looms, the Edmonton Oilers are hitting their stride-and doing it with confidence. With their eyes firmly set on ending a Stanley Cup drought that stretches back to 1990, this team is showing signs of being more than just a contender. After falling just short in the Final each of the past two seasons, the Oilers are once again proving they have the firepower-and now, perhaps, the depth-to make another serious run.
Let’s take a closer look at some key storylines surrounding the Oilers right now, from a promising injury update to a goaltending situation that’s quietly becoming one of the more intriguing in the league.
Kapanen Injury Update: A Sigh of Relief
When Kasperi Kapanen went awkwardly into the boards during the Oilers' recent matchup with the St. Louis Blues, there was a collective breath-hold from fans.
Kapanen had only recently returned from injury and had been playing some of his best hockey of the season. Seeing him go down again brought immediate concern.
But the news from head coach Kris Knoblauch was encouraging. According to Knoblauch, Kapanen’s injury “will not be a long-term thing,” which is about as good as Oilers fans could’ve hoped for. He’s not expected to suit up for Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, but the team hasn’t made any roster moves to replace him-suggesting they expect him back relatively soon.
That’s a big deal. Kapanen has been a spark plug in the lineup, bringing speed and a much-needed scoring touch to the bottom six. His absence will test the Oilers’ depth, but it doesn’t appear to be a long-term hurdle.
Connor Ingram’s Comeback Story Gains Steam
Few stories around the Oilers have been as quietly compelling as Connor Ingram’s. After a stint away from the game, Ingram returned to pro hockey and was acquired by Edmonton from the Utah Mammoth. Following some time to get his legs back at the AHL level, he was called up when Tristan Jarry went down with an injury-and he’s made the most of the opportunity.
Now, with Jarry healthy again, the Oilers are carrying three goaltenders. That’s not a long-term solution, but it speaks volumes about how well Ingram has played.
Through nine games, the 28-year-old has picked up five wins, including one shutout, while posting a 2.22 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. His 4.6 goals-saved-above-expected tells the deeper story: Ingram isn’t just holding the fort-he’s outperforming expectations.
It’s a good problem for Edmonton to have. At some point, a decision will have to be made about which two goalies they’ll move forward with, but for now, the three-headed setup gives them flexibility-and a safety net.
Leon Draisaitl Away for Personal Reasons
The Oilers have been without one of their cornerstone players, as Leon Draisaitl has returned to Germany to attend to a personal matter involving a family illness. The team has asked for privacy during this time and expects Draisaitl to rejoin the club in about a week.
Losing a player of Draisaitl’s caliber is never easy, but the Oilers have responded in impressive fashion.
Statement Wins Without Draisaitl
In the two games since Draisaitl stepped away, the Oilers haven’t just survived-they’ve dominated. First came a 6-0 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks.
Then, they followed it up with a 5-0 shutout of the St. Louis Blues.
That’s 11 unanswered goals and two clean sheets, all without one of the best players in the league.
It’s the kind of response that speaks volumes about the team’s depth and resilience. Players like Kapanen, Vasily Podkolzin, and Ike Howard have stepped up offensively, showing that this team can generate scoring from more than just the top line. With Kapanen now sidelined again, others will need to continue stepping into bigger roles-but the early returns are promising.
For a team that’s been criticized in the past for being too top-heavy, these back-to-back blowouts are a strong counterargument. The Oilers are showing they can roll four lines, get solid goaltending, and win games even when key pieces are missing.
Looking Ahead
As the Olympic break nears and the playoff picture starts to take shape, the Oilers are doing exactly what contenders need to do: banking points, building chemistry, and proving they can win in different ways. Whether it’s gritty one-goal battles or statement blowouts, this team is finding its identity-and it’s one that should have the rest of the league paying close attention.
Stay tuned. If the Oilers keep playing like this, the road to the Cup may once again run through Edmonton.