Edmonton Oilers Playoff Chances in Serious Jeopardy
The Oilers began last season in a brutal funk that got their coach fired, and although they're not as bad as last year, this season's mediocrity is shocking hockey fans.
Barring another miracle 16 game win streak, the Oilers may even be at risk of falling out of the playoff picture this year.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the statistical picture for the Oilers to make the playoffs is starting to look bleak, although they did beat it last year.
»During full seasons in the salary-cap era, just 10 of 70 teams four points out of the playoffs after games on Nov. 1 recovered to make it. This year's challengers: Chicago and Nashville. Last year, teams went 1-3. In: Edmonton. Out: Calgary, Pittsburgh and San Jose.»
- Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
- Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
Nobody really believes that the Oilers will miss the playoffs, but the fact that they've put themselves in this statistical position again is extremely concerning.
Last season they were bailed out by the 16 game win streak, but to expect that again is totally unrealistic. The Oilers desperately need to begin to string together some wins and separate themselves from the bubble .500 teams.
The real concerning fact is that biggest factors holding them back is a brutal penalty kill and goaltending, which could be described by some fans as actual personnel issues. The Oilers lost multiple quality penalty killers last offseason, and Stuart Skinner is still proving himself as a goalie in this league.
Friedman's barometer of November 1st for team evaluation isn't much different from the old evaluation of American Thanksgiving, coming up in just a few weeks. By then, the Oilers better be on the right track, or perhaps a shake up trade happens.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers can go on another historic win streak this year? | ||
| Yes, they still have it | 61 | 59.2 % |
| No, it's a different team now | 41 | 39.8 % |
| See Results | 1 | 1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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