Oilers are poised to make 2026-27 their year

The Edmonton Oilers never disappoint their fans. Whether it’s the worse start in franchise history in 1993-1994 going 3-14-1 for 7 points (basically the start of the Decade of Darkness) or the 2015-2016 season going 0-4-0 (0 point) during Connor McDavid’s first year to one of the best starts in NHL history in the 1984-1985 season going 12-0-3 for 27 points. Fans continue to support them win or lose. The 1984-1985 team went on to win the Stanley Cup and is regarded by many as one of the greatest teams in NHL history.

Flash forward to the 2026-2027 season, about 42 years later, the McDavid captained Oilers are 11-2-2 for 24 points in 15 games, 3 shy of what the 1984-1985 team did en route to winning the Oiler’s second Stanely Cup. Fans should soak these facts in as they are real, reflective of the amazing effort of coach and players and the drive of Captain Connor.

 What are they doing right this season?

The off season was tumultuous with scandals over the new coach, over a new player and the uncertainty of goaltending. We definitely saw these events bleed into the chaos that was the first two games with 27 goals being scored and a crazy 80s style 9-7 win by the Oilers over the Vancouver Canucks. But, maybe those unstructured flashbacks to previous season allowed the coaching staff to see exactly what needed to change! Mission accomplished!!

They changed alright, and have sailed to a 11-2-2 record with 7-0-0 undefeated road record. They have scored the most goals by a team so far with 64 goals and a 32.7% powerplay efficiency. In fact, their powerplay has averaged about 28.2% over the past 5 years. They have great pieces in place now and are still without Zach Hyman and Matthew Savoie!

Babcock and staff have structured the Oilers defensive play

Many have commented on the structure that Mike Babcock brings to any of the teams he has coached. We did not know what to expect in the coach as he has not coached in 3 years. Throwing out the first two games of the season, he has certainly made his imprint on the defensive core, on Evan Bouchard’s defensive play and on the defensive play of the forwards. The NHL plus/minus leaders are Bouchard's +22, McDavid at +20 and Mattias Ekholm with +19. Leon Draisaitl is not too far behind with a +15 rating. These are statistics we never saw in past seasons and a big part of why they are sitting in second place in the NHL standings and on top of the Western Conference.

The superstars are setting records this year

We all know how great McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard are. Similar to prime Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey, they are setting records this year. Bouchard should have won the Norris trophy for the best defenseman last season but Zach Werenski won it even though Bouchard had 95 points compared to his 81. This year, Bouchard is leading in offensive and defensive categories of points, goals and assists for a total of 26 points en route to a possible 120-140 point season. Bobby Orr had 139 points during his best season, and Bouchard may indeed break through to 140 points if he keeps up this pace!

The same can be said for McDavid with not only the best game point streak to start the season at 15 games, but 39 points in 15 gameshe could theoretically reach 200-220 points. Only one player in NHL history has cracked the 200 point barrier and did it 4 times, #99. Mario Lemieux came close with 199 points in the 1988-1989 season.  This is elite company for McDavid, and rightly so. We see how fast and crafty he is in almost every game. there is no single solution to catching him once he gets up to his > 35 km/h speed.  His skating is a once-in-a-generation style that combines speed, amazing puck control, agility to instantly change to whatever direction he wants and ability to thread passes to find their target.

Is McDavid and Leon on the same line a good thing?

Oilers fans have always complained about McDavid and Leon on the same line and the amount of ice time they clock. This formula does not allow for time for the 3rd and 4th line to significantly contribute and creates a tried McDavid and Draisaitl. I think Mike Babcock sees the usage of the two superstars very differently than we do. Surprisingly, he has kept Leon and Connor on the same line during the first 15 games with Vasily Podkolzin as the second winger with McDavid. Podkolzin has thrived with 14 points and 9 goals in 15 games. He is having his best season and has fit in well with the top line.  

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins back and driving his own line, I think this formula may work this season. Colton Dach has fit in quite well with RNH and Hyman will be back soon with them. While this second line is still learning how to play with each other, the Oilers 3rd and 4th are also contributing.. Only Max Jones and Phillip Hallander have not had any points yet but they will come.  The Oilers have good depth now and many of the players know their roles on the team.

Goaltending no longer a problem

We all saw the story lines during the summer and beginning to the season about the Oiler’s goaltending situation – the uncertainty of Tristan Jarry, the injury to Frederik Andersen and the uncertainty regarding Devon Levi. Well, 15 games into the season, the Oilers have a 2.87 GAA and 0.894 save percentage as a team. This is marred by the first two high scoring games but if you remove them , it is quite impressive compared to what they managed last year.

Jarry has played well (with back to back shutouts recently), Levi is challenging Jarry for the #1 spot and Matt Tomkins, who played versus the New York Rangers on Sunday night and posted a 1.01 GAA and 0.964 save percentage. We have excellent goaltending depth this year. I think most of the fans now see their team as one that can win every night if the effort is there, play sound defensive hockey and have confidence that the person between the pipes will make a save when they make a mistake. I like the goaltending depth and it is now very hard to predict who will be in net once the playoffs start.

What will happen in the next 15 games

The next 15 games will take us to Dec 1, 2026 vs the Buffalo Sabres. I think the Oilers can win 10 of 15 and possibly more. They have depth, a great defensive core, and forwards that can outplay the best on the other teams at five-on-five and on the power play. We see confidence building throughout the team, belief in themselves as contenders and the example set by McDavid. Gretzky and Kurri had their best season in 1984-1985, the year they went on to win their second Stanley Cup. I predict McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard will have their best offensive years yet, the team will have its highest finish under Captain McDavid and well…the rest will have to wait until June!

Enjoy the amazing start Oiler’s fans…the best is yet to come.