Yes, we can all agree that the Edmonton Oilers’ season (so far) has been mid (literally), as they currently sit two games above .500 and have the first seed in the Western Conference wild card race. Much discussion from fans and media up to this point in the season has been about whether the Oilers will ever return to their style of play that helped them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in the last two seasons.
There have been more times this season when Edmonton has struggled and has been lacking in their system play. Sometimes, when a team and their players are trying to find their game, it unfortunately can take them a while to get out of that dry spot, and for the Oilers, it has seemed like the start of the season has been their dry spot over the past three years.
To start their third calendar month this season, the Oilers lost to the Minnesota Wild 1–0 and just could not seem to get shots by the potential and heavy Vezina favourite, Jesper Wallstedt. When one goalie manages to get a 1–0 shutout and save all 33 shots that your team had in that game, I can understand why Edmonton was looking to finally hit their big turning point this season.
Based on their most recent games on Thursday, December 4, and Saturday, December 6, it may be safe to say that they have officially found that big turning point for their season.
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers
Just a few short days ago, on Thursday, December 4, Edmonton found themselves playing back at home in Rogers Place against one of their division rivals, the Seattle Kraken.
Statistically, over these last few meetings, the Oilers, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid have been lights out when playing against Seattle. Through the first 15 games in his NHL career against the Kraken, Draisaitl has dominated with eight goals and 26 assists for a total of 34 points. In three games alone this year, Draisaitl has continued to show his dominance when facing this team, as he currently has two goals and six assists for eight points.
Connor McDavid has also been able to take over when playing against Seattle. Through his first 16 games in his NHL career versus the Kraken, McDavid has crushed it with 12 goals and 13 assists for a total of 25 points. In his three games alone this year, McDavid has continued to show his skill when facing this team, as he currently has four goals and two assists for six points.
Okay, enough talk about the past, and let us look to the present. The Oilers’ most recent game against the Kraken saw the likes of nine goals and a hat trick from their captain. They managed to win the game 9–4 thanks to three goals from McDavid, which ended up being the 13th in his career, and goals from Vasily Podkolzin, Draisaitl, Matthew Savoie, Zach Hyman, and Mattias Janmark. Yes, the Oilers were wearing their new alternate script jersey.
Winnipeg Jets at Edmonton Oilers
Just two small days ago, on Saturday, December 6, Edmonton found themselves playing at home again, but this time against one of their Canadian rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Statistically, over their last 10 meeting, the Oilers, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisaitl, have been pretty middling when playing against the Jets. In his last 10 games against Winnipeg, Draisaitl has been able to score around a goal per game and has looked pretty good. In the only matchup so far this year, Draisaitl has continued to show his consistency when facing this team, as he currently has just one goal and one assist for two points.
Connor McDavid has also been a points-assist earning machine when playing against Winnipeg. In his past seven games versus the Jets, Connor has been picking lots of apples with 10 assists and a total of 10 points. In his only matchup so far this season, McDavid has continued to show that he likes setting his teammates up for goals when facing this team, as he currently has two assists for two points.
Now back to their game versus Winnipeg this past Saturday. This most recent game against the Jets saw the likes of six goals and another big Edmonton Oilers win. They managed to win the game 6–2 thanks to six different players being able to find the back of the net. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, Savoie, Evan Bouchard, Curtis Lazar, and David Tomasek were the goal scorers in this matchup. The Oilers were wearing their new alternate script jersey, yet again.
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Can the Oilers goal scoring frenzy continue?
In their past two games and most recent games wearing the script jersey, the Edmonton Oilers have somehow managed to outscore their opponents 15–6. It is hard to look past the fact that they still allowed an average of three goals in each game, but it is very easy to notice instead that they have scored an average of 7.5 goals per game in their last two matchups.
Edmonton has not seen this level of scoring since December of 2024, which is almost officially one year ago. They also managed to outscore the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, by a combined score of 13–4 in those two games.
With the Oilers slowly starting to get back to their game and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch starting to see a lot more from the team that he likes, the Oilers may just be able to prove us all wrong. They could finish the season on a high note, fighting for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Only time and potential injuries will tell, but we will see where the team will end up by the end of the season and where they could sit in the league standings by Christmas break.
Now Oilers fans! Do you guys think that Edmonton has officially hit a turning point in their season, or is it still too soon to tell? Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments. That is a great way for you to stay connected with us and also share your thoughts and opinions.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
