I get to take a step away from the analytical side and speak as a fan in this article, which I’m excited to do.
For the first time in several years, there are no Edmonton Oilers games to be watched in May. While it was always a nice birthday for myself to have the Oilers battling through the playoffs this month, that isn’t the story of 2026. In all honesty, it is for the best.
The Oilers entered the playoffs this year fairly battered and bruised, and the list of injuries seemed to grow after each game against the Anaheim Ducks. Along with the injuries came the criticism, and I was included in the list of people that offered it. The Oilers were not good enough to win the first round. Besides, even if they had, a second round against the Vegas Golden Knights could have spelled disaster.
I don’t say that with any kind of negative connotation, as I should be more upset as an avid fan of Edmonton, especially with the two-year window Connor McDavid gave the Oilers starting in September. But I sit here while writing this article oddly content. The Oilers lost in Round 1. Yes, that sucks. But it’s time to look at the bigger picture.
Oilers have played a lot of hockey lately
The Oilers have played a lot of hockey in the past three years, the most hockey any of the 32 teams in the NHL have played in that time. It wasn’t just the fans that got to experience watching the Oilers make a run at the Stanley Cup, the players had to put in the work every game, even when their bodies were at their breaking points. We didn’t get to see anything other than what the cameras showed us, so we can only imagine what the toll on their mental health was when they were so close to bringing home what they were fighting so hard for, but fell just short, twice. That was hard to take in as a fan, now imagine how the players dealt with those losses.
Let’s turn the narrative around. There is quite a lot of negativity surrounding the Oilers at the moment with the dashed expectations and the first round exit, but those players fought hard, and they did so with less rest than any other team in the NHL. The loss against the Ducks will give the Oilers and their management team time to rest. They can also make the decisions regarding who needs to stay and who needs to go, but that it is a topic for another time. Right now, as fans, and specifically from this fan, the Edmonton Oilers have my thanks.
A heartfelt thanks to the Oilers
Thank you for the hard fought seasons, thank you for ending the “decade of darkness,” and thank you for giving us all of the hockey that you have in the past several years. We’ve had the privilege of watching the Oilers play into the middle of June the past two years. Our sleep schedules and livers are in better shape with the Oilers exiting in first round this season, so now all of you fans out there can really let loose over May Long Weekend, which is coming up quickly.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s band together and salute the players that worked as hard as they did for us night in and night out, and the players have made it clear that the fans matter to them, making the experience of playing in Edmonton a unique, energy-filled, memorable time.
I won’t go down the list of players on the roster, as that would be redundant reading for all of you taking the time to peruse this article, so I will leave it at this: Leon Draisaitl and McDavid, you two have led the charge for several years, and it’s clear that you still have the fire to continue next season. Take the time off that you deserve, rest with loved ones, and heal. Thank you for giving Edmonton something to cheer for, something to look forward to next season, and thank you for being a part of our community.
This also goes out to the rest of the team. Thank you for giving Edmonton all you have, and your fanbase is ready for what next season will bring, and you know we’ll bring the noise.
Remember, it’s still a good time to be an Edmonton Oilers fan, and there is still so much to look forward to with this team.
From a fan, truly, thank you, Oilers.
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