The show rolls on for the Edmonton Oilers, who have now won 13 straight, climbing back to their rightful place in the upper stratosphere of the NHL. Though the damage of their early season woes are still visible in the standings, the gap between the Oilers and the division leaders is shrinking. With three games remaining in the month, and prior to the All-Star break, the Oilers will be favoured to extend their streak further.
The Oilers’ defensive fortitude
The Oilers haven’t allowed more than three goals against in a game since even before the long winning streak began, as the last blemish to their goals against came in a 5–1 loss to the Florida Panthers back in mid-December. While the past month and change has been incredible, the Oilers had a favourable schedule through this time. Still, the Oilers can only play the teams in front of them, and authored victories over notable teams, namely the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs over their current streak.
There is little to be overly concerned about for the time being, but given the construct of the Oilers team, this defensive consistency is a crucial positive. Thanks to their elite scoring talent across the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era, the Oilers have always had a puncher’s chance at winning any game. Under former Coach Jay Woodcroft they morphed into a dominant possession team, giving them enough stability to routinely qualify for and perform in the playoffs. Now, the team has taken the next step under Kris Knoblauch, the defensive prowess required of a championship team.
This is aptly illustrated by the Oilers turning their penalty killing efficiency around. A near constant struggle of the Woodcroft era, the Oilers have risen to one of the best penalty kills league-wide. Now at over 80% on the season, the Oilers have become a true powerhouse, a complete team that does not easily beat itself.
Rounding into top form
For this reason fans of other NHL teams, or even analysts, might be behind in updating their views of the Oilers. In particular, P.K. Subban earned a lot of pushback from Oil Country after an interview last week suggesting that the team was purely powered by its superstars. While some leeway should be given, particularly for oversimplifying the Oilers narrative for a show primarily discussing NFL football, Oilers fans are right in recognizing how complete the team is.
After McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers biggest strength might be their blueline. The current trend in teambuilding, influenced by the reigning champion Vegas Golden Knights, is a blueline with a heavy focus on length and strength. The Oilers have a truly elusive balance of traits (and handedness) within their towering group of defencemen, from skating skills and high octane offensive talent, to checking skills and physicality.
The defence group has made life easy for their goaltenders, as Stuart Skinner has resumed his meteoric rise in reputation. High end talents like Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins add scoring punch, while the forward group is insulated with valuable contributions from the likes of Evander Kane, Warren Foegele, and Ryan McLeod. While scoring or goaltending depth might be on the wish list as the trade deadline approaches, the Oilers will not be forced into moves by desperation at this point.
The Oilers recently addressed a rumoured need, a right shot, bottom-six forward with grit, by adding Corey Perry. The move is not without controversy, as Perry’s contract being terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks just a couple months ago is cause for concern. Details of what exactly led to the termination are obscured by rumour and a lack of transparency, making it difficult to evaluate the addition from this perspective—though it is understandable that some fans take issue with the Oilers continued willingness to overlook off ice concerns.
Regardless, the Oilers have had success with Kane, another free agent signing coming off of controversy, including a contract termination. On the ice Perry seems to be a strong addition, a proven playoff performer who is comfortable in a bottom-six role, and undeniably a thorn in the side of every opponent.
Is there flexibility in cap space?
Fans might also be critical of the Oilers burning next season’s cap space with bonuses, especially after Connor Brown’s performance this season vis-a-vis the effect of his $4M cap hit next season. Though the Oilers are a true perennial contender, a Cup-or-bust mentality is aggressive for a team that could have a window extending five to ten seasons in the future. For now, the focus is best left on the present, as the Oilers might yet be able to navigate the cap in the seasons ahead. At the very least, Perry’s potential bonuses are much more affordable than Brown’s.
Including some other moves, such as the Dylan Holloway call up, as well as the play of Foegele and Calvin Pickard, the Perry signing does increase the Oilers’ flexibility in the present. While the disastrous results of the fall portion of the 2023–24 schedule had many areas of the team amidst great concern, the turnaround and subsequent additions have calmed the storm.
In a sense, this frees the Oilers up to use their assets, both in cap space and in futures, in new ways. Instead of paying for additions to the forward group, or a starting goalie, the Oilers can instead investigate other options. This certainly includes potentially moving off one of the more cumbersome contracts, including Jack Campbell’s, via trade instead of buyout. Whether at the deadline or in the offseason, the Oilers will have more options and will be dealing from stronger leverage.
What to expect in the coming weeks
The Vancouver Canucks are authoring a fantastic season of their own, and might be too far ahead for the Oilers to catch for first place in the Pacific Division. Still, regardless of seeding the Oilers will be a formidable foe for any opponent in the playoffs.
We will see the Oilers schedule begin to get tougher down the stretch of the season, featuring some potential playoff previews. In the month of February, the Oilers will play against some other strong teams in the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Los Angeles Kings. While it is critical that the team continues to pick up points against weaker opponents, it will be their ability to continue their high level of play against the league’s best that will determine their fate in the playoffs.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
