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Do the Oilers have what it takes?

2022-05-31 12:55:48 Updated on 2022-05-31 21:24:10

So goes Connor McDavid, so goes the Edmonton Oilers. After all, the famed No. 97 won his fourth NHL scoring championship at just 25 years old. More importantly, the electrifying forward is playing his best field hockey at his best time. He has scored 12 points in his last 5 games just before the playoffs begin.

Leon Draisaitl

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are inseparable, even though they have only played together on the power play since Jay Woodcroft took over. With 110 points as of April 28, the German is on track to finish fourth in the Bettman League in scoring, 13 points behind McDavid. The Oilers' opponents will have to be disciplined in the playoffs as no goaltender wants to be outplayed by McDavid and Draisaitl.

Kings as playoff opponents

Speaking of playoff opponents, the Los Angeles Kings earned their Stanley Cup playoffs ticket. This is the first time since 2017-18 that the California team has participated in the spring tournament. Their presence in the playoffs is a surprise to many observers who have the Oilers as the heavy favorites to win.

The importance of getting past the first round

Many believe that the first round is often the most difficult to get through. The Oilers need to get rid of the Kings quickly and easily to minimize the risk of injury to their star players. If they can do that, they could go a long way in the spring tournament.

Shaking off the demons of the past

However, this isn't the first time the Oilers have been favored in a series and failed to meet expectations. Last year, they faced the Winnipeg Jets. Many thought that the Manitoba team would be no match for McDavid and Draisaitl. Instead, the Jets swept the Oilers in four games, to the surprise of everyone. The Oilers need to get rid of the spectre of defeat that has haunted them for years now.

Evander Kane

Evander Kane landed in Edmonton for a pittance mid-season because there were several question marks about his presence with the team. Would his off-ice nonsense follow him to the Oilers? Would he be a good influence in the dressing room? Regardless, his presence on the ice is undoubtedly contributing to the Oilers' post-season success. Kane has 8 points in his last 5 games, including a hat trick. He forms a formidable duo with McDavid.

Zach Hyman

Zach Hyman is having a great season after being signed from Toronto in the summer. Hyman complements Draisaitl well on the team's second three. He is also playing on the first power play unit and will complete his first season in Edmonton with over 50 points. Exactly what you would expect from an athlete of his caliber.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the team's third center, but he could certainly play that role on the top two threes on most NHL teams (talk to the Montreal Canadiens). He'll finish the campaign with 50+ points for the 5th time since he's been in the NHL.

Depth at last

Speaking of Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers' depth on offense, long the team's shortcoming, could help them make a run in the playoffs. The Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto and Warren Foegele who regularly appear alongside McDavid and Draisaitl are doing a great job late in the season.

Darnell Nurse

Darnell Nurse is undoubtedly the backbone of the Oilers defense. He regularly plays 25 minutes per game and could be used more in the playoffs. His imposing physique and good first passes make him the Oilers' most valuable defensive player.

Tyson Barrie

He's the team's quarterback on the power play. His role in the playoffs is likely to be very important, as every goal has value. After a disappointing season offensively, Barrie showed signs of resurgence late in the season with 4 points in his last 5 games.

Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen

Speaking of resurrection, the venerable 40-year-old Mike Smith is finally looking like the goalie of his heyday who once led the Coyotes deep into the playoffs a few years ago. After a slow start to the season, Smith has won his last five starts, including two shutouts. All indications are that he will be the trusted masked man to start the playoffs. If he does have any setbacks, it's possible that we'll quickly turn to Mikko Koskinen who has had a respectable season.

The Coach

Oilers coaches have often been criticized since the end of the Wayne Gretzky era. Since taking over, Jay Woodcroft, who replaced the fired Dave Tippett, has escaped criticism. He has stabilized a team that was going nowhere. The team's play is well structured, the opponent's scoring chances have decreased: this bodes well for the playoffs.

Following in the footsteps of the dynasty

It is sometimes said that the past is the future. Wayne Gretzky's early seasons in Edmonton didn't end in Stanley Cup victories. Despite Gretzky's dominance, the Oilers' dynasty followed the New York Islanders' starting in 1984, when the Marvel first skated in the NHL in 1978. Will history repeat itself?