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It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for the Edmonton Oilers. After falling just one game shy of winning the Stanley Cup a year ago, they entered the 2024-25 campaign as the heavy favourites to win their first championship since 1990.
The first half of the season was strong for the Oilers, who, at that point, were still looked at as the favourites to win it all. They stumbled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, however, faltered by several injuries and suspect goaltending. It got to the point that entering the playoffs, they were suddenly viewed by many as the underdogs versus the LA Kings.
The Oilers certainly looked outclassed early in the series, putting themselves in a 2-0 hole. However, they were able to get back plenty of bodies who were able to ramp things up as the series progressed, and went on to win four straight to punch their ticket to the second round. Suddenly, the team that everybody counted out is back to looking as good as ever.
Oilers Getting Plenty of Contributions
To no surprise, it was Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way for the Oilers over the Kings. The dynamic duo combined for five goals and 21 points through the six-game series, and are looking as dominant as ever as they prepare for the Vegas Golden Knights in round two. That said, McDavid and Draisaitl were far from the only two stepping up for this Oilers team.
Despite some heavy criticism and shaky moments, Evan Bouchard really picked his play up late in the series, and wound up finishing it with four goals and seven points. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman both had five points, as did Connor Brown, who is quickly proving himself to be a big-time player in the postseason.
Another bottom-six forward who has proven himself as a big-time playoff performer is Mattias Janmark, who scored two goals in the series, which matched his total through 80 games during the regular season. The ageless wonder Corey Perry also had a big impact with two goals, while Vasily Podkolzin registered four helpers.
Injured Players Getting Back Into Their Groove
After missing all regular season and the first game of the playoffs, Evander Kane returned to the Oilers lineup in Game 2, and wound up providing a huge impact. The rugged winger scored two goals and three points in five games, and was his usual self in terms of physicality. His play should only continue to progress as he gets back up to speed.
Another forward whose health was a concern heading into the playoffs was Trent Frederic. He suited up for only part of one game after being acquired by the Oilers at the trade deadline, but was ready to go for Game 1 of the playoffs. Though he had some rough moments, he came alive in Game 6, scoring a goal in what wound up being a 6-4 win. That goal should go a long way in helping restore his confidence and allowing him to be an impactful player in the second round.
Last but not least is John Klingberg, a player whose signing was questioned by many fans from the get-go. Though his regular-season play was quite uninspiring, he’s looked completely different in the playoffs. He averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time in the five games he suited up, and excelled throughout.
Pickard Came Up Clutch
The biggest concern for the Oilers entering the playoffs, and even still, is their goaltending. Stuart Skinner was lit up in the opening two games of the series, paving the way for Calvin Pickard to get an opportunity. Though his numbers in the four games he started weren’t great, he won each of his four appearances.
For whatever reason, Pickard just seems to be able to gut out wins for the Oilers. His rather odd technique doesn’t always inspire a ton of confidence, but it’s clear he’s got some mojo right now. Having a goalie they can rely on will be huge for this team going forward in the playoffs, and right now, Pickard is giving them just that.
Upcoming Series Will Be Tough
While the Oilers are certainly back to being viewed as a Stanley Cup contender, that doesn’t mean that getting back to the Final will be an easy feat. This second-round series versus the Golden Knights, another serious contender out of the Western Conference, will prove to be a difficult task. That said, with the way the Oilers ramped up their play in their final few games versus the Kings, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic that they can come out on top and advance to the Western Conference Final.
More must-reads:
- Mike Grier’s drafting propelling Sharks to certain future
- Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Longtime Maple Leafs Defenseman in Serious Contract Dispute With His New Team
The longtime former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Conor Timmins is in a serious contract dispute with his new team, the Buffalo Sabres. Nobody appears happy to stay with the Buffalo Sabres organization. Most of the talented players on the team were included in trade or free agency rumors, and now, Timmins doesn't appear too excited to sign with the team. Indeed, the Restricted Free Agent, who was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Sabres earlier this offseason for Connor Clifton and a second-round pick, isn't close to reaching a deal in Buffalo. With arbitration hearings set to take place over the coming days, Timmins and the Sabres are likely to meet for that reason soon. Unless a deal is reached before then, the hearing will take place on August 2nd. The Ontario native is coming off a rocky season, where he played 51 games for the Leafs and 17 more in Pittsburgh after being traded. In those 68 games, the 26-year-old defenseman tallied 15 points, including three goals. After seeing three players around the NHL reach deals before their hearing date, some fans hoped to see the Sabres and Timmins sign a contract soon, but multiple reports confirmed that there hasn't been any 'traction' between both camps. As of now, five more players are scheduled to have salary hearings. Here's the full list, per PuckPedia: Arvid Soderblom (Chicago Blackhawks) - July 28 Maksim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) - July 29 Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets) - July 30 Conor Timmins (Buffalo Sabres) - August 2 Nicholas Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs) - August 3 Jayden Struble (Montreal Canadiens) - August 3 It'll be interesting to see what kind of contract Timmins would get in a hearing, or if a deal will be reached before the date. With the Sabres' reputation, it's not surprising to see that he appears reluctant to sign in Buffalo. Hopefully for their fans, massive changes will be done to the team to make sure they can attract top talent and convince them to stay with the team.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden Already Has A New Nickname
The Green Bay Packers may have found their next offensive weapon in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. Just a few days into training camp, Golden has already made a name for himself, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia even gave him the nickname “Bullet,” a nod to his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. With expectations high, Golden is showing why he was a first-round pick and why he could be a key piece in the Packers’ offense this season. A Strong Start to Green Bay Packers Training Camp Golden has wasted no time making an impact in his first NFL training camp. His smooth route running and explosive speed have been on full display, drawing attention from both fans and teammates. According to reports, Golden has already been utilized in a variety of ways, including jet sweeps and motion plays, hinting at the versatile role he could play in the Packers’ offense. Rich Bisaccia’s nickname for Golden, “Bullet,” is a reference to former Olympic sprinter and Dallas Cowboys legend Bob “Bullet” Hayes. The comparison is fitting, as Golden’s speed has been a standout trait since his college days. “He’s got that extra gear,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see it in the way he separates from defenders. It’s exciting to think about what he can bring to our offense.” Matthew Golden: College Dominance at Texas Golden’s college career at Texas was nothing short of spectacular. In his final season, he recorded 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in critical moments made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Over his three-year college career, Golden amassed 2,987 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a first-round talent. His performance at the NFL Combine only added to the hype. Golden ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that has already earned him comparisons to some of the league’s top deep threats. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability made him a no-brainer for the Packers, who were in desperate need of a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Offense The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver room has undergone significant changes in recent years. With Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and other young receivers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks still developing, Golden has a clear path to playing time. His ability to create separation and make plays downfield could make him a go-to option for Love, especially in critical third-down situations. Golden’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset. Whether lining up in the slot, running jet sweeps, or stretching the field on deep routes, he has the skill set to contribute in multiple ways. “He’s a guy who can do it all,” said veteran running back Josh Jacobs. “You can see the potential. He’s going to be a problem for defenses.” Final Thoughts Matthew Golden’s first week of training camp has been nothing short of impressive. From earning the nickname “Bullet” to showcasing his elite speed and versatility, he’s already proving why the Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick in him. With his college pedigree and early flashes of brilliance, Golden has the potential to be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense. As the season approaches, the Packers may have found their next star wide receiver, and the rest of the league should take notice.
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