Since the return from the Olympic break it has been an uneven stretch of play for the Edmonton Oilers. Perhaps as much should be expected, given that is exactly how the Oilers have performed throughout the season. Still, with some new trade deadline additions joining the fray, and the playoffs coming up soon, now is the time for the Oilers to start putting their best hockey together.
Can the team do it? That question remains to be seen, but this has been a hallmark of the Oilers in recent seasons.
Let’s take a closer look at the road ahead in this edition of the Oil Check.
Goaltending still a major issue
It has been impossible to escape the narrative in the Oilers crease. Despite changing both goalies since the start of the season, the narrative remains strikingly similar. In particular, Tristan Jarry’s play has come under scrutiny, as his stats since joining the Oilers in December are not flattering.
Of course, some recent games have featured a lot of goals against. With four or more goals conceded on five different occasions since the return from the Olympic break, it is no surprise that the Oilers looked to bolster their roster with the defensively minded additions of Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson. Clearly the team recognizes the need for improved defensive play, and many believe that to be the root of the issue.
Some might start to wonder if Stuart Skinner was better for the Oilers than Jarry has been, especially given their respective contracts. Others might be critical that the Oilers did not make another move in net, perhaps for Jordan Binnington or Sergei Bobrovsky. Ultimately, it might be Connor Ingram who is most likely to be the Oilers playoff starter, though he has had some tough moments for the team.
It is worth considering how Skinner was run out of town, outside perspectives seeming to carry a feeling of inevitable negativity. Under the same pressure, one might consider Jarry a less proven, older, and more expensive version of Skinner.
On the positive side, Ingram has shown some promise. Connor Ungar seems to be close to NHL relevance, but remains out of the picture for this season. Of course, Jarry could bounce back with some stronger play.
Still, it will be a combination of goaltending and defending that gets the job done. Although there were reports of some bristles at practice, the Oilers best chance at success lies through working together, and committing to the defensive identity of the team.
Playing against the top teams
After a lopsided defeat at the hands of the Dallas Stars, concern across Oil Country swells. This was not the first time that the Oilers have been blown out by the Stars this season, either. In all there might be some growing concerns about the Oilers record versus the league’s top teams.
This is contrasted by two wins against playoff contenders immediately prior. The Oilers handled the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights in consecutive games. With their new additions, and hopefully the Oilers coming into their best hockey, this trend might be reversed. There will be more chances for the Oilers to prove themselves against top teams ahead, and the results will have to improve to build some confidence.
Blueline still a mess
Speaking of team defence, the Oilers investments into their blueline have not exactly come to fruition. Jake Walma has missed much of the season with injury, and has had unflattering results now that he is back in the lineup. After several ricochet own-goals off of Darnell Nurse, his play is coming under fire as well.
With Connor Murphy joining the team the Oilers are still figuring out their pairings. It seems that Nurse and Murphy have been the best option on the second pairing so far. As such, Walman’s icetime has decreased.
With so much money tied up in Nurse and Walman, fans are experiencing a growing frustration. Nurse himself echoed the sentiment that he needs to step up for the team to have success.
Coaching another hot topic
The struggles of the blueline ties into another hot topic, the Oilers coaching. Paul Coffey was added to the group, perhaps signalling some internal strife. In the NHL coaches are often on a short leash, so anytime a team underperforms the coach is among the first to suffer the consequences.
Despite starting his NHL career with back-to-back Western Conference championships, Kris Knoblauch’s seat is getting hotter. Whether it is for his lineup deployment or his systems, there is a growing amount of criticism coming down onto the coach. If the Oilers continue to fall short of their best hockey this season, it might be Knoblauch who suffers the consequences first.
First in the Pacific up for grabs
Despite the Oilers struggles they remain in decent standing for the Pacific Division. In some ways they might even be considered as the favourites to come away with the top seed. This should be quite possible if the Oilers are able to find their game. That said, the Oilers are just as close to slipping down the standings as well.
This will extend into the playoffs as well, as the playoff format will pit the Pacific Division against each other. The upstart Anaheim Ducks seem to have turned the corner, while the San Jose Sharks are coming into their own as well. Older teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights remain in the mix, though both are having subpar seasons to their normal standards. The Seattle Kraken might be the biggest surprise, authoring a strong season under coach Lane Lambert.
Absent are the top flight teams that the Oilers have struggled against this season. The Oilers remain favourites, but every team on the Pacific Division side of the playoff bracket will see the opportunity before them. The Oilers inability to win the division is frustrating, but it is a bit funny how they have a great opportunity to do so despite their underwhelming performance so far this season.
At the very least the Oilers seem to be ready and willing to fight for each other. The emotional core of the team remains intense and combative. There is a lot to like about this Oilers team, and the time is now for them to start coming together.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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