Get out the car flags, Edmonton Oilers fans, and have all your playoff traditions ready. For the seventh consecutive year (sixth not counting qualifiers), the Oilers have secured a Stanley Cup Playoffs berth. This was made official following the Winnipeg Jets’ 7–1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Getting to the playoffs was much less certain this year than before
There’s one stat that perfectly epitomizes how this season has gone for the orange and blue. 80 games into the season, the Oilers have only two winning streaks (by the definition from the film Major League). And following their 1–0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, it’s certain that’s all they’ll finish with.
For every step forward this team took throughout the season, there was always a step or two backward that followed. Inconsistency has long been a bug in the Oilers’ game, but in 2025–26, it felt like the entire game. It’s only been post-NHL Trade Deadline, that the 2023–24 and 2024–25 versions of the Oilers have re-emerged.
Assistant Coach Paul Coffey’s return has also had a hand in getting the Oilers back on track. Since he went back behind the bench, Edmonton has been among the league’s best teams defensively. They have also figured out one of their two goalie positions, to an extent, which helps further.
The players remain focused on playing the right way, as they should be
In a recent interview, Captain Connor McDavid said that the team’s focus isn’t on trying to finish higher up in the standings. Rather, the current goal was to seal the playoff berth, and ensure that responsible hockey is being played. With how porous the Oilers defence was in the middle of the season, and how often they’ve been blown out, it’s easy to see why that’s priority number 1.
One-half of that professed mission is now accomplished, for sure. As for the defensive game? It’s still a little hit-or-miss, though it’s a lot more “hit” recently than “miss.” The best recent example of that is in how they held the Seattle Kraken and Chicago Blackhawks to a combined one goal, but then gave up 11 total to Vegas and Utah.
Those two games seem to be aberrations, though. As long as they remain nothing more than aberrations, this team is indeed looking postseason-ready. And they’re getting that job done at just the right time.
The elusive Pacific Division crown remains in play
Most importantly: the race to the top of the Pacific Division is still very much a go. The Oilers loss to the Kings in regulation means they no longer can just clinch the division by winning out. However, the fortunate aspect is that there’s tough matchups left for their rivals.
The Anaheim Ducks face the Vancouver Canucks tomorrow, which isn’t ideal. But then they have to deal with the Minnesota Wild, and a Nashville Predators squad that beat them 5–0 on their ice and are fighting for their lives. Meanwhile, at the time of writing this, the Vegas Golden Knights have their hands full with the Colorado Avalanche.
It’s not as straightforward as just being able to win out. But it’s a lot easier of a path than the Oilers have had in seasons past. The last time it was this simple was in 2017, when one more Kings regulation goal against the Ducks would have handed the Pacific to Edmonton then. Hopefully fortune favours the orange and blue this time.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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