Beyond the surface level success of many Stanley Cup contenders lie some peculiar statistics, records, individual game occurrences, and runs of form. Be it the Toronto Maple Leafs losing to a Zamboni driver, an entire division struggling, or even bottom-half statistics, these kinds of measures are common for teams, especially those looking to win the Stanley Cup.
Recent iterations of the Edmonton Oilers have all been able to put together consistent regular-season success and deep playoff pushes. But even for all of their recent success, they have fallen victim to very uncharacteristic runs and records.
The record in question? Their road record against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
To put it simply, the Oilers currently sport a five-game losing streak at Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets' home arena.
While five games doesn't seem like that long of a losing streak, it is one that dates back to the pre-COVID years. The last time the Oilers bested the Blue Jackets in Columbus was on October 30, 2019. That game saw Leon Draisaitl record two goals and an assist, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had himself a two-assist game.
Including that game, the Oilers had won each of their previous three road contests against the Blue Jackets. Of the other two contests, one was a 4-0 win on March 2, 2019, while the other was a 7-2 victory on December 12, 2017.
But before those two runs, the Oilers had endured another five-game losing streak, one that dated back to March 6, 2013. The last Oilers win at Nationwide Arena that preceded that losing streak was on February 10, 2013; the Oilers defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 in that contest. That game also saw Devan Dubnyk record a .975 save percentage on 40 total shots faced.
Those numbers might seem dismal, but they are backed by some general observations with regard to the head-to-head series.
One such measurement is that, since the start of the 2010-11 campaign, the home team has won 26 of the 35 head-to-head matchups played. In addition, the home team is currently on a seven-game winning streak, one that actually dates back to the Oilers' last road win against the Blue Jackets.
This season, the Oilers have opportunity to end their losing streak at Nationwide Arena; that chance will come on December 27. It also represents the Oilers' first game back from the holiday break and the first game of their six-game World Juniors road trip.
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