The Edmonton Oilers have managed to overcome a shaky start to the season and have now caught up to their Pacific Division rivals. Following a discouraging opening stretch, where they lost their first three games and struggled to find consistency, the Oilers have rallied and are currently tied with the Calgary Flames in points, sitting just below the top teams in the division.
In the early games, the Oilers faced some tough losses, including a 6-0 shutout against the Winnipeg Jets in the season opener and subsequent defeats to teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames. Despite these initial setbacks, they gradually found their rhythm. Key victories, like a 4-3 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers and a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, hinted at a resurgence. The Oilers then went on a winning streak, defeating notable opponents such as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames in tightly contested matchups.
The standings now reflect the Oilers' improvement, with the team posting a 9-7-1 record and 19 points. Their points percentage (PTS%) stands at .559, placing them in the middle of the Pacific Division and within striking distance of leaders like the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. Though the Oilers still have areas to improve—evident in their negative goal differential, with 47 goals scored and 53 allowed—their recent performances indicate they are on the right track. Their scoring depth and resilience have allowed them to secure important wins, especially in high-stakes games.
One notable shift has been the Oilers' ability to win in overtime, securing several critical points in tightly contested games. Additionally, their power-play and penalty-kill units have started to gel, enabling them to outlast opponents in crucial moments. Defensively, while there is room for improvement, the team has shown signs of better structure and discipline, reducing the high-risk plays that led to earlier losses.
With a few adjustments and continued focus, the Oilers are well-positioned to keep climbing the standings in a competitive Pacific Division. Their resurgence has brought them closer to teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, proving that they can contend with the division's best when playing to their strengths. As the season progresses, the Oilers will look to build on their recent momentum, further solidifying their place in the playoff race and demonstrating they have moved beyond their slow start.
The Edmonton Oilers will look to keep the ball rolling Saturday as they will be in Toronto to take on the Leafs. A win on Saturday would push the Oilers winning streak to 4 games, the longest streak so far this season.