Incredibly, this NHL season is at its midway point. While not all teams have played 41 games, most clubs, including the Edmonton Oilers, have played between 38 and 42. So, it’s worth taking a look at the Oilers’ report card at the midway point of this season.
Standings
Let’s start with the Edmonton Oilers’ place in the standings. The Oilers are tied for second in the Pacific Division with the Los Angeles Kings. While both clubs have 51 points, the Kings get the nod for second as they have played one fewer game and have two fewer losses.
Overall, the Oilers are in a good spot as they hold a six-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for third place in the division as of Tuesday morning. Of course, anything can happen. But judging from the directions in which both clubs are trending, it will take a miracle for the Canucks to turn things around.
Unless the wheels completely fall off for the Edmonton Oilers this season, there is a pretty good chance they can still catch the Vegas Golden Knights for the division lead. While that would be a feather in the team’s cap, it’s not a major objective. Still, the Oilers have something to shoot for. Winning the top seed in their division could provide a more favourable matchup in the playoffs.
As such, the Oilers could play hard the next couple of months to gain a foothold on the top spot in the Pacific. The Oilers get a B+ for their place in the standings.