In our last Oil Check, the Edmonton Oilers had finished their second straight eight-game segment where they won six games.
Unfortunately they could not keep the streak going, including losing back-to-back regulation games for the first time since November 4 and 6.
However, they still finished 5–3, which is more than respectable. They outscored their opposition 27–22, and finished on a high note with a 6–2 thrashing of the Vancouver Canucks in a rematch from the 3–2 loss two games earlier.
Edmonton had a huge road trip spanning many time zones
This stretch of eight games started three games into the road trip from hell, which included eight games played in eight different cities in 15 days, including at least one game in every single time zone in the NHL.
Prior to the start of this segment, the Oilers went from a game at home (Mountain time zone) to one the next night in Seattle (Pacific time zone) to Boston (Eastern time zone). This stretch started with a game in Pittsburgh (still Eastern) to Chicago (Central), then a quick stop back home for one game (Mountain), then back on the road again to Minnesota (Central), Colorado (Mountain) the next night, and then finally ending in Vancouver (Pacific).
The Oilers weathered that trip fairly well, going 6–2 (and 4–2 within this eight game segment), including a crucial divisional win against the Los Angeles Kings. Hopefully being able to not just survive but excel during a grind like that bodes well for the grind that is playoff hockey in the spring.
The big deal about McDavid’s suspension
You may not have heard since it fell under the radar a bit, but Connor McDavid got into a bit of a skirmish in that game against Vancouver with Conor Garland. This ended with him cross-checking Garland in the face and earning himself a three-game suspension. Clearly the NHL is not a fan of Connor on Conor violence.
Depending on who you ask, McDavid is the dirtiest player who has ever played, or a player who reached his breaking point with respect to non-calls on players who are clearly fouling him. Note for Canucks’ fans: that latter statement is not to be read as McDavid should not have been suspended.
It certainly has sparked a conversation in the league regarding the state of officiating and game management/not “protecting” the stars. McDavid drew sympathy from the likes of Sidney Crosby, who knows better than anyone the frustrations of lesser players be allowed to hook, hold and slash you with impunity.
Granted, the Oilers releasing an official statement was a bit much, but again I think people are missing the point here—it isn’t about McDavid being suspended as much as it is about the lack of consistency (to phrase it kindly) when it comes to officiating.
The contrast with other leagues, specifically the NFL, was extremely apparent, with the complaints from NFL fans that the league is protecting it’s superstar face of the game, Patrick Mahomes, too much. Is that an argument for damned if you do, damned if you don’t? No, it’s an argument for call the rule book regardless of who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Draisaitl leads the team without McDavid
The Oilers have split the first two games without McDavid, first with a 3–2 loss to the #1 team in the league, Washington Capitals (yeah, tell that to someone back in October), and then aforementioned shellacking of the Canucks.
Leon Draisaitl has gone into usual his “fine, I’ll do it myself” mode when McDavid is out, scoring two goals and five points in the two games. That makes it five goals and 11 points and a 3–2 record in the five games without McDavid this season.
Draisaitl has pushed himself to within one point of the league lead with 74, and his 35 goals paces the league by seven goals over Sam Reinhart and William Nylander.
He had six goals and 14 points over this eight game span, and looks to go to another level yet again with the added responsibility of taking over with McDavid out. Having Draisaitl hit another level in the second half of the season will be an important part to make the sure the Oilers can snag home ice for the playoffs, and maybe even win the division for the first time since 1986–87.
Never too late to come back
This eight game period was the segment of comebacks.
First, the Oilers went down 2–0 to the Chicago Blackhawks before coming back to win 4–3. Two games later, they came back from a 2–0 deficit to the Minnesota Wild to come out on top 5–3. The next night they went down 3–0 before starting to play (because playing back-to-back games on the road in the arena that is at the highest elevation isn’t hard enough), winning 4–3.
Resiliency is an important trait for a team and it appears the Oilers have that in spades. The Oilers also seem to be well aware of that fact, as stated by Vasily Podkolzin. Having that ability, knowledge, and confidence that you can do it is certainly a good thing. Although it probably still isn’t the best strategy available.
The last stretch before the break
The Oilers look to have a bit of an easier schedule coming up, with five of their seven games before the 4 Nations Face-Off being at home, and only two games against playoff teams.
They start off with a four game homestand against the 30th ranked Buffalo Sabres, 27th ranked Seattle Kraken, and 24th ranked Detroit Red Wings, although it ends in a marquee Saturday Hockey Night In Canada game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They then head off on a quick back-to-back road trip against the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, before finishing off with a home game rematch against the Colorado Avalanche. There is then the two week break before they head on another road trip, starting against the 22nd ranked Philadelphia Flyers.
Given the hard stretch they’ve been through, both competition and travel wise, this should be a good relief for the team. However, hopefully it does make them too relaxed, as points are points, regardless of opponent. The last thing you want is to lose focus and lose home ice in the process. This Oilers team this year doesn’t seem to get too fazed over these kinds of things though, so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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