Edmonton Oilers: Why They’re a Top Team in Hockey Right Now
It’s still very early into the 2021-22 season but the Edmonton Oilers are tied for first place in the NHL standings. Lead by their stars and special teams, they’re currently one of the hottest teams in hockey right now.
After a huge win against the Pacific Division favorites in Vegas, the Oilers are looking to keep this early hot streak going.
The Edmonton Oilers are following their captain’s lead. He’s taking the league by storm (again) and the team is following suit.
McDavid has 13 points in the first 5 games of the season and is on pace for a whopping 213 points. Now, this rate may not be sustainable but if anyone is capable, I think it would be Connor McDavid.
Of course, the Edmonton Oilers are following their captain’s lead. The team is sitting at a perfect 5-0-0 record after the first two weeks of the season. Secondary scoring has shown up for the Oilers early on, most notably Hyman and Puljujarvi. On the backend, the breakout of Evan Bouchard has helped the defensive core be more complete.
The depth has also contributed, especially the third line of Foegele, Ryan, and Kassian.
The Edmonton Oilers’ biggest key to success so far has been the powerplay, which is firing on all cylinders.
The Oilers’ powerplay is well known to be one of the best in the NHL. To be exact, it’s been top of the league for the past two years.
Right now, the PP is sitting at 8 for 17 ( 47.1%) and first place in the standings. The season is still fresh but with how dangerous it’s been the last few seasons, it’s really no surprise.
Special teams has helped the Oilers be one of the hottest teams so far, with the penalty kill also sitting at 88.2%. Not the best in the league, but with new additions like Ryan, Foegele and Hyman, the PK will do well this season.
Goaltending was the biggest question mark coming into the season, but Smith and Koskinen have looked very good for the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers goaltending was pretty much written off before the season even started. “Mike Smith is too old and Mikko Koskinen is an AHL goalie”, would be words from critics on social media.
The cagey veteran Smith came out of the gate hot, unfortunately he was injured in the third game of the season and put on the Injured Reserve.
Koskinen had a rough 2020-21 season, he stated it was hard being away from his family because of the pandemic. A bounce back season was easily foreseeable for Mikko and he’s proved it early on.
Hopefully, Mike Smith can come back next week as predicted and get the tandem back together. Now that the team knows they can rely on both goalies, we may see a more shared crease. With Smith’s age and Koskinen’s inconsistency, the best-case scenario is a split in the net.
Can the Oilers keep the hot streak going?
Everything is clicking for this team right now.
In all honesty, the Oilers have maybe had an easier schedule to start the season. (Outside of Vegas). So of course, the losses are going to come at some point, but this is a good hockey team.
The Edmonton Oilers have powered up the standings and hopefully, they can find sustainability to keep them one of the hottest teams in the NHL.