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There Still Is Hope For The Edmonton Oilers

By Devon Hladunewich

Nov 22, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) talks to referee Eric Furlatt (27) after his penalty against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) talks to referee Eric Furlatt (27) after his penalty against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers have had a rough start to their 2021/2022 season, with a record of 5-12-1. Many people have been quick to write off the Oilers’ chances of making the playoffs this year, but there is reason to believe that this slow start might not be the end of the world. In fact, it’s worth looking back at the 2018/2019 season to see just how similar the Oilers’ start is to that of the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the St. Louis Blues.

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At the beginning of the 2018/2019 season, the Blues got off to a slow start, going 7-8-3 in their first 18 games. Many fans and analysts had written off the Blues’ chances of making the playoffs, let alone winning the Stanley Cup. However, the Blues didn’t give up, and they went on an incredible run that saw them win the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

So, what does this mean for the Oilers? Well, first of all, it’s important to remember that a slow start does not necessarily mean the end of the season. The Blues’ start in 2018/2019 was not much better than the Oilers’ start this year, and yet they managed to turn it around.

Additionally, the Oilers have a talented roster, with players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way. If they can start playing to their potential, there’s no reason they can’t make a run for the playoffs.

Of course, there are lots of similarities between the two situations. The Blues had a coaching change early in the season, which seemed to spark their turnaround. The Oilers have made a coaching change, but it has yet to make much of a change. Additionally, the NHL is a different league than it was in 2018/2019, with different teams and different challenges.

Next. Historical context of Oilers poor start to 2023-24 season. dark

All that being said, there is reason to believe that the Oilers can bounce back from this slow start. They have the talent and the potential, and sometimes all it takes is a little bit of momentum to turn things around. If they can start playing with more consistency and get some key wins under their belt, they could surprise a lot of people and make a run for the playoffs.

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