We’re officially halfway through the Edmonton Oilers season and it’s been a wild one to say the least. From 2–9–1 to firing Coach Jay Woodcroft, and now being 21–3 in their last 24 games, which includes a 13-game winning streak under Kris Knoblauch, it’s safe to say the Oilers are back and look like the team we saw last season. With three months left in the season, I’ll give out five predictions that I believe will happen over the course of the season.
The Oilers set the win streak record
I do think that this has a very high probability of happening. The Oilers next five games are either against teams who are in the bottom echelon of the standings, or they’re purely mediocre with the exception of Vegas. Those teams are: Columbus, Chicago, Nashville, Vegas, and Anaheim. They win all of those and they’ll set the record at eighteen.
Edmonton’s playing dang good hockey right now. They can defend (they have not allowed more than two goals against since the New York Rangers game where they allowed the third one with 0.1 seconds left), they’re getting depth scoring, Stuart Skinner’s been amazing, and most importantly, it’s all been done 5v5 where the power play has been okay. If you can’t see that (hello PK Subban), then I don’t know what to tell you.
Holloway breaks out under Knoblauch
Under Woodcroft, Dylan Holloway really didn’t have a prominent role. Usually in the eight minute range, playing with defensive wingers mostly, Holloway barely got any OZ time or even time with the offensively minded players. Holloway was never in positions to succeed under Woodcroft, which was always one of his weaknesses when he was a coach here.
Knoblauch’s MO is to play the speedy, young players, like he has thus far with Ryan McLeod and James Hamblin. He started on the fourth line against Calgary, but I think this is easing him into the line-up since he’s missed around two months in the NHL. This is a fresh start for Holloway and I believe he’ll finally break out and become the player we expected when he drafted him: a hard nose, defensively reliable middle-six player who can score 15 goals a season.
The Oilers add three to four pieces before the deadline
I wrote a few weeks ago about potential targets at the deadline Edmonton should look to add. Once again those were: a 1B goalie, a top-four RHD, and a middle-six forward. Sure, adding all of those would be tough to add, but as a GM, Ken Holland needs to put everything on the table to vastly improve the team. This could include Philip Broberg, first-round picks, hell maybe even Holloway if you gets you a guy like a Jake Guentzel.
I also believe we’ll add a bottom-six forward. Corey Perry has recently signed with the club. The Oilers should be the busiest team come the deadline and I’m excited (and maybe somewhat nervous) on who comes in and who comes out.
McDavid does not exceed 120 points
Over the course of this win streak, Connor McDavid has five goals and 13 assists in 13 games. Yes, during this win streak, McDavid *only* has 18 points. He’s been good. Very good. But he hasn’t been out-worldly amazing, which comes back to my earlier point about this Oilers team is playing really, really good hockey.
McDavid’s been incredible defensively thus far and it’s been sacrificing his numbers quite a bit. He’s been a lot more physical and is making a lot of the little smart plays (ie. going to the net on McLeod’s goal against Toronto). With this, I believe it’s possible that McDavid won’t hit 120 points, which is totally fine in the end. He’s playing such a mature game like what Crosby did as he approached his 30s.
The Oilers win the cup
I had this in my hot takes article and I’m sticking with it. This Oilers team is already good. After the deadline, they’ll be even better. This team is pissed and hungry to win, and I believe this is finally the year it gets done. The East is weak besides New York, Florida, and Carolina, and all of the West teams you can argue are around the same level. They’ll beat the New York Rangers in six games. Calling it.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
