The Edmonton Oilers clinched a berth in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season with a 6-3 victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
It is the first time the Oilers have qualified in three consecutive seasons since they achieved five from 1997 to 2001.
Edmonton were impressive early on, going 16-5-0 and leading the NHL in scoring percentage (.762) and power play percentage (35.9 percent) on Dec. 1, but then lost six straight to start a 7-13-3 slide that led to coach Dave Tippett being fired on February 10.
Since new coach Jay Woodcroft took over, the Oilers have returned to form, going 23-8-3.
The Oilers are led by Capt. Connor McDavidwhose 116 points (43 goals, 73 assists) in 77 games lead the NHL It is McDavid’s fifth 100-point season since debuting in 2015-16. Leon Draisaitl he has also eclipsed 100 points with 107 points (54 goals, 53 assists) in 77 games. It’s the third time in the last four seasons that he’s scored 100, and his 54 goals are his personal best in the NHL.
The goal now will be to do more with the opportunity. Edmonton has won a playoff series since a seven-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, a six-game win against the San Jose Sharks in the 2017 Western Conference first round. The Oilers they last won the Stanley Cup in 1990.
Edmonton’s last two postseason appearances have been disappointing. In 2020, they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in four games in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup qualifiers, and last season they were swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup. In each series, the Oilers were the top-ranked team; last season, the Oilers finished second in the seven-team North Division.
Before the 2022 NHL trade deadline on March 21, the Oilers made two additions to bolster their depth. Traded a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Derick Brassardand acquired defender Brett Kulack in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens for defense William Lagessona conditional second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Here’s a look at the Oilers’ path to a playoff berth:
The player most value: McDavid continues to set the bar very high. With four games remaining, he is on track for 120 points, which would be the highest of his NHL career. The 25-year-old is the 19th player in NHL history to have five 100-point seasons and the sixth to have five before turning 26, joining Wayne Gretzky (eight), Mario Lemieux (six), Dale Hawerchuk (six), Bryan Trottier (five) and Bobby Orr (five).
unsung hero: defending cody ceci, who signed a four-year deal with the Oilers on July 28, 2021, had a tough role to fill. He had to replace adam larson, who had been a defensive-minded defenseman who was difficult to play against and who chose to sign with the Seattle Kraken as an unrestricted free agent. Ceci has found success averaging 20:57 of ice time in 74 games and scoring 27 points (five goals, 22 assists), the most of his NHL career.
memorable moment: McDavid already had multiple incredible moments, but his game-tying goal at 5:01 p.m. of the third period against the New York Rangers on Nov. 5 will be included in that collection. McDavid picked up the puck between the red line and the blue line in New York and crossed the ice for a moment as he looked for his opening. He then quickly sped towards the net and made his way through four Rangers (Patrick Nemeth, Kevin Rooney, jacob trouba Y dry game) before him goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev. Edmonton won 6-5 in overtime.
Video: McDavid scores incredible goal against Rangers
Key number: 2.74. Conceding Goals Per Game Edmonton has allowed in 33 games since Woodcroft took over as manager. In 44 games under Tippett, the Oilers allowed 3.32. They are also scoring more for Woodcroft, 3.85 goals per game compared to 3.18.
Question mark: Improving the team’s defense and solid play in the second half of Mike Smith (15-9-2, 2.88 goals against average, .913 save percentage, two shutouts in 27 games) and mikko koskinen (25-11-4, 3.09 GAA, .902 save percentage, one shutout in 42 games) have reduced the panic over goal. But Smith is 40 years old and has a history of injuries, and Koskinen has shown at times to be overwhelmed when Smith has been out.
Reasons why tankers can win it all: If their goal holds, the Oilers have game-changing skill and depth that could translate into momentum at the biggest time of the season.
Reference-www.nhl.com