Edmonton Oilers Look to Heat Up and Make a Push for the Playoffs After Holiday Break

After a brief holiday break, the Edmonton Oilers are looking to heat up again and make a push towards the playoffs. Despite a slow start to the season, the Oilers have played well in recent weeks, but are currently still sitting outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. However, with a talented roster led by superstar Connor McDavid, there's reason to believe that the Oilers can turn things around and make a run for the postseason.

One of the keys to the Oilers' success will be their ability to stay healthy. The team has been lucky so far this season to not have any major injuries. With key players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Evander Kane not missing any time so far. However, there are always bumps a bruises that add up during the season. With the Christmas break providing some much-needed rest and recovery time, the Oilers will be looking to get everyone back on the ice and firing on all cylinders.

Another important factor will be the team's depth and secondary scoring. While McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been dominant all season, the Oilers have struggled to get consistent production from their supporting cast. Players like McLeod, Brown, and healthy Dylan Holloway will need to step up and contribute more offensively if the Oilers hope to make a serious push for the playoffs.

Defensively, the Oilers will need to tighten things up and limit their opponents' scoring chances. While the team has some solid blueliners in Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, and Evan Bouchard, they've also had some defensive lapses that have cost them games. With goaltender Stuart Skinner starting to play better between the pipes, the Oilers will be looking to shore up their defensive play and give him the support he needs to succeed.

Overall, the Oilers have a talented roster and should be a playoff team this season. However, they'll need to stay healthy, get more secondary scoring, and tighten up defensively to make a serious push for the postseason. With the Christmas break behind them, the Oilers will be looking to heat up again and make a run toward the playoffs in the second half of the season.