The Edmonton Oilers are looking for redemption after losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last June. They’ve lost some key pieces but also added some, and they have the potential to go on another deep run. The core of this team knows what it takes to win, so it’s up to the depth to step up and contribute. This group has the personnel and experience to succeed and has developed a winning culture. The Oilers are built for the playoffs, and here’s why.
Leon Draisaitl Is a Playoff Performer
Leon Draisaitl is having an MVP-calibre season and is on another level. He should undoubtedly be the front-runner for the Hart Trophy. His incredible regular-season play will translate to the playoffs, as it has on many occasions. The 29-year-old superstar has 52 goals and 106 points through 71 games and has a 10-goal stranglehold on the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race. He also has 41 goals and 108 points in 74 playoff games. He turns it up a notch when the games matter the most, so he will drag Edmonton into the fight because he makes his teammates better.
Draisaitl had 31 points in 25 games last postseason despite playing through hand and rib injuries throughout their Cup run. It got to the point where head coach Kris Knoblauch was uncertain if he would play some games. However, he fought through it and still put up those numbers. Now, he’s battling some more injuries. He missed four games with an undisclosed injury before returning for the last three games. But he got injured again during their previous game, so his status remains uncertain. This is horrible timing, but the German forward is tough as nails, so hopefully, he’s ready to go for the playoffs. Even though Edmonton is battling the Los Angeles Kings for home-ice advantage in Round 1, they shouldn’t rush back their star forward. If they want another long playoff run, they need him to be healthy. He’s carried this team the entire season, so don’t expect that to change, even with his latest injury status.
Oilers Have a Strong Defence Core
The Oilers have a legitimate defensive core for the first time in the Connor McDavid era. The Jake Walman addition stabilized this blue line and filled a glaring hole. The newest Oiler has seven points in 13 games since joining the team and alleviated some pressure off the rest of the group.
Evan Bouchard is an elite offensive defenceman, Darnell Nurse is having an underrated season, and Brett Kulak is a steady third-pairing guy. They also have Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher battling for that final spot. However, Mattias Ekholm’s health is concerning. He hasn’t looked right since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. As a result, he’s missed nine of their last 13 games. This is a good defensive unit if the Swedish blueliner can remain healthy. If not, they have solid NHL-quality players to step in, which is a good problem to have.
Oilers Have Great Forward Depth
When the Oilers are fully healthy, they have a deep and skilled forward group. They are currently without Trent Frederic, Evander Kane, McDavid, and now Draisaitl up front. Kane and Frederic haven’t played for Edmonton this season, but they have the potential to be impactful. They are both skilled and physical wingers, which translates well to the playoffs. Their inclusion will instantly provide a spark and make this team harder to play against. Those are the type of players you need in the playoffs.
Having them in the lineup will push everyone else down and scratch players like Max Jones and Kasperi Kapanen. A potential fourth line consisting of Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, and Mattias Janmark/Corey Perry is a solid unit. The Oilers will have four lines that can score, and that’s dangerous for other teams. They will be fielding their best possible lineup, barring injuries, and that depth is necessary for a deep playoff run.
Oilers Have Experience in Close Games
The Oilers have played in 37 one-goal games, winning 22 of them. That’s the most in the NHL this season in both categories. A single goal has been the difference in six of their last seven and 23 of their previous 34 games. So, they have experience in close games, which will be beneficial come playoff time since those games are often tighter-checking.
The Oilers can lock it down and grind out one-goal victories. Look no further than their last two games. On Tuesday (April 1), they had a 3-1 lead heading into the third period against the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights and held on for a 3-2 victory. Then, on Thursday (April 3), they had a 3-2 lead against the San Jose Sharks and locked it down in the final frame to secure that 3-2 win. While the Sharks are not a juggernaut, the Oilers showed maturity in the final period, without Draisaitl (who left the game in the second period), and were able to defend the lead, in large part due to a massive save by Calvin Pickard in the dying moments.
In the postgame media scrum in San Jose, Jeff Skinner had high praise for Pickard. “If you’re going to win that many one-goal games, you need your goalie to make big saves down the stretch,” Skinner stated. The Oilers’ netminder has been solid, and the team requires more of that, especially with Stuart Skinner’s injury. Does Pickard deserve the crease for Game 1 of the postseason?
The Oilers have been in many high-pressure games, which bodes well for them this time of year. They have the pieces and are built for a lengthy playoff run. So, can the Oilers finally bring the Stanley Cup north of the border for the first time since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993?
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