Wayne Gretzky, the legendary NHL icon, has shared his insights on the Edmonton Oilers' current standing and their playoff prospects. Despite a challenging season, Gretzky remains optimistic about the Oilers' potential to turn things around.
The Oilers are currently holding the third spot in the Pacific Division with a 31-25-8 record, amassing 70 points. They sit seventh in the Western Conference, a field led by the formidable Colorado Avalanche, who boast 95 points.
Gretzky, however, isn't sounding the alarm just yet. He believes the Oilers have what it takes to make a strong push as the season progresses.
In a conversation with Paige Martin and Bob Stauffer before their matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, Gretzky emphasized that Edmonton shouldn't stress too much over their regular-season ranking.
“I wouldn’t panic too much,” Gretzky advised. “Finishing one, two, or three doesn’t matter. I look for the Oilers to have a nice run.”
However, he did offer a strategic caution regarding playoff matchups.
“The only thing you don’t wanna do, you don’t wanna finish in that one spot where you have to play Colorado in the first round,” Gretzky noted. “If you can avoid them till the third round, get some momentum. But I think the Oilers are in good shape right now, and they’ll be fine.”
Colorado, with a 43-10-9 record, is a powerhouse this season, led by Nathan MacKinnon’s 104 points. Their offensive prowess, averaging 3.79 goals per game, combined with a top-tier defense, makes them a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to lean on their captain, Connor McDavid, who has tallied 35 goals and 108 points. Edmonton's power play is a standout, leading the league at 32.8 percent, and they’re not far behind offensively, averaging 3.55 goals per game.
Yet, it's the defensive side where the Oilers face challenges. Allowing 3.36 goals per game and ranking 23rd in penalty killing at 77.4 percent, the team’s goaltending has been inconsistent despite the addition of Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram.
Having reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, only to fall to the Florida Panthers each time, the Oilers have the talent to contend again. The key will be finding their rhythm before the playoffs kick off.