We’re in the final stretch of the Edmonton Oilers season, and what a wild ride it has been. From 2–9–1 to firing Jay Woodcroft to the historical 16-game winning streak, it’s been such a trip to witness. With only eighteen games left this season, I like to ponder on how it’ll end. Where will the Oilers finish? How will they end off the season? Most importantly, when can we expect them to clinch a spot in the West?
Playoff race standings
The Oilers sit comfortably second place in the Pacific Division with 83 points. They’re up by four on the Los Angeles Kings with no games in hand. They also have a six point advantage over the Vegas Golden Knights with having two games in hand. Barring some catastrophe, the Oilers should have at the very least a divisional spot locked down. However, they are nine points back of the Vancouver Canucks while having three games in hand. The Canucks are currently without star goaltender Thatcher Demko for the next few weeks, and a few poor performances from Casey Desmith could be enough for the Oilers to catch right back up.
The Canucks next few games sees them play: Washington, Buffalo, Montreal, Calgary, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Anaheim to end off the month. Demko is expected to return beginning of April. Meanwhile, the Oilers schedule is similar: Coloardo, Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Anaheim to finish off March. Is it possible? Yes. Do I think it’s likely? No, in all honesty.
The West wild card is beginning to look crazy as well. With the Minnesota Wild being four points behind Vegas, could you imagine if the Golden Knights, who not only won the Cup last year and started 11–0–1, but also traded for Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl, missed the playoffs? I sure hope so.
Oilers upcoming schedule
According to Tankathon’s website, the Oilers have the 14th easiest schedule remaining for the rest of the season. The Oilers also have two more back-to-backs left to complete. This should allow them to finish the year strong and gear up for the playoffs. The last time they play out East is a March 24 with a matchup against the Ottawa. Senators. The Oilers will then play five out of their last eight games at home. One of the away games will be in Calgary, so it’s not like they’re gonna be travelling a lot anyways. They end the season in a back-to-back, first against Arizona and then against Colorado. I don’t believe it’s unrealistic to expect the Oilers to go around 10–6–2 in their final 18 games, which would give them a record of 50–27–5, or 105 points. The amount of home games and the lack of long road trips and back-to-backs will greatly help out the team.
When will they clinch a playoff spot?
Now when should we expect the Oilers to clinch a spot in the playoffs? In the 2021–22 season, the Oilers clinched a playoff spot in Game 78 against the Colorado Avalanche. The Oilers had 98 points at that time. The final wild card spot in the West went to Nashville who had 97 points.
In 2022–23, the Oilers clinched on April 1 against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 76. The Oilers had 98 points at that point and the final spot in the West went to the Winnipeg Jets who had 95 points.
Right now, the Knights are on pace for 95 points, just like the Jets last year. Judging by recent data, the Oilers should have clinched a spot by Game 76, or in this case, the Battle of Alberta game in Calgary. Now, remember, things can change. The Knights and other sub wild card teams can lose their upcoming games which would make clinching a spot come earlier for the Oilers. But, using the data as what we know right now, sometime during that week where they play Colorado, Calgary, and Vegas, the Oilers and their fans should see that “x” next to their name in the standings.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
