Games 61-70 wrap-up: Edmonton Oilers started to recapture their rhythm, but injuries hit.
The Edmonton Oilers entered Games 61-70 of the regular season amid mixed emotions. While they had been struggling with consistency earlier in the season, the return to form during this stretch showed glimmers of what the team could be at its best. However, like many teams in the NHL, the Oilers were not immune to the unpredictable nature of the sport, and injuries would soon begin to take their toll on the squad. Despite this, the team managed to recapture its rhythm at times, proving that when healthy, they can be a powerhouse in the league.
As the Oilers approached the final stretch of the regular season, Games 61-70 would prove to be a defining moment for the franchise, setting the stage for whether they could make a deep run in the playoffs or face another early exit.
Recapturing the Rhythm: Early Signs of Improvement
The Edmonton Oilers’ performance over Games 61-70 showcased signs that they were rediscovering the team chemistry that had eluded them in earlier stretches of the season. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team’s cornerstone players, remained as brilliant as ever, but it was clear that the Oilers were finding more cohesion throughout the lineup. During these games, they displayed increased fluidity on both offense and defense, balancing the need for an up-tempo attack while showing improved responsibility in their own zone.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the stretch was the revitalization of the Oilers’ power play. Often regarded as the most dangerous power-play unit in the league, the Oilers’ man-advantage had been inconsistent for much of the season. However, during Games 61-70, they found their rhythm again, with McDavid and Draisaitl clicking in ways that made it almost impossible for opposing teams to defend against them. The team’s power play was not only an offensive weapon but became a key reason the Oilers were able to reclaim victories in tight contests. They scored at a 30% conversion rate during this stretch, a significant improvement and one that bodes well for their playoff hopes.
The Oilers also got strong performances from players around the superstar duo, something that had been lacking earlier in the year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stepped up with timely goals and assists, Zach Hyman provided steady physical play and net-front presence, and Evander Kane found his scoring touch again after a rocky start to the season. With the secondary scoring coming through, Edmonton’s offense became more well-rounded, less reliant solely on McDavid and Draisaitl to create offense.
In goal, Stuart Skinner continued to show his development into a capable starting goaltender. After a somewhat inconsistent first half of the season, Skinner seemed to have found his form, putting together solid performances in key games. While Jack Campbell struggled with inconsistency, Skinner’s more stable presence in net provided the Oilers with much-needed confidence, especially in high-pressure situations. Skinner’s growth as a goaltender would prove vital as the team entered the home stretch of the season.
Injuries Start to Hit: Key Players on the Sidelines
Despite the strong start to Games 61-70, the Oilers were once again reminded of the unpredictable nature of their campaign, as injuries began to rear their ugly head. The team’s depth was tested in this stretch, and the absence of key players highlighted some of the Oilers’ vulnerabilities, particularly in their defensive depth and overall roster balance.
The most significant injury during this period involved Connor McDavid, who sustained a lower-body injury in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. McDavid, known for his almost superhuman speed, had previously been dealing with a nagging issue in his lower body. Though he was able to continue playing through the discomfort, his injury seemed to be catching up with him during Games 61-70. This injury forced McDavid to miss a couple of games, and during his absence, the Oilers struggled to maintain their offensive flow. The team’s lack of depth, especially when it came to finding consistent secondary scoring without McDavid on the ice, was evident.
In addition to McDavid’s injury, Leon Draisaitl also sustained a minor ailment—a wrist injury—that limited his effectiveness in the latter portion of Games 61-70. Although Draisaitl continued to play through the discomfort, his production was notably lower in certain matchups. His playmaking abilities, usually at an elite level, were sometimes hampered, and his shot was not as sharp as it had been earlier in the season.
The Oilers also saw several other minor injuries plague their lineup during this stretch, affecting depth players like Kailer Yamamoto, Evander Kane, and Brett Kulak, all of whom missed time. The injuries to these key contributors added more stress to an already thin roster. With so many injuries stacking up, the Oilers had to dig deep into their lineup to find ways to remain competitive. At times, the team leaned heavily on the play of their top four forwards and Skinner, but even those players couldn’t always shoulder the entire load.
The Struggles in Defense and Special Teams
Despite the offensive firepower and McDavid’s return to action in Games 66-70, Edmonton’s defensive struggles persisted, as they continued to be a problematic aspect of the team’s play during this stretch. Their ability to allow too many quality scoring chances remained an issue, especially in games against high-powered offenses. Even with the acquisition of Mattias Ekholm earlier in the season, the Oilers’ defensive zone coverage remained inconsistent.
One of the more concerning elements was their inability to consistently prevent odd-man rushes and breakdowns in coverage. These defensive lapses led to soft goals, often at inopportune times during critical games. While the Oilers’ offense continued to score at a high clip, the team’s overall inability to shut down opponents defensively continued to be a barrier to consistent victories.
Furthermore, the penalty kill also became a recurring issue during this stretch. The Oilers’ penalty kill had been lackluster, giving up too many goals in key situations. As the team continued to fight for positioning in the standings, these penalty kill struggles compounded their challenges. If the Oilers were going to make a deep postseason run, this area of their game would need to be addressed in the weeks leading up to the playoffs.
Secondary Scoring and Team Depth
Injuries to McDavid, Draisaitl, and others highlighted the need for the Oilers to have more depth scoring in order to be competitive at the highest level. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was excellent, but beyond the top-line players, Edmonton struggled to find consistent offensive contributions from the rest of their forwards.
The absence of McDavid in a few games forced players like Zach Hyman and Evander Kane to step up and carry more responsibility offensively. In a few contests, they did just that, but in others, the Oilers’ bottom six could not generate enough sustained pressure to make up for the loss of their two stars. With McDavid’s injury lingering and Draisaitl nursing his own wrist injury, the lack of depth scoring became a growing concern. The Oilers’ ability to rely on their big guns had worked in the regular season, but if this trend continued into the postseason, their limited roster depth could pose significant problems.
On the back end, Evan Bouchard had a mixed stretch. He showed moments of brilliance, especially when quarterbacking the power play, but still struggled at times with defensive zone coverage and turnovers. While Bouchard’s potential as a young defenseman is obvious, he’s still developing, and the Oilers’ defense struggled to find consistency in the absence of key contributors. Ekholm’s presence helped stabilize the defense, but the Oilers would need more from players like Cody Ceci and Bouchard if they were to build a more well-rounded team.
Skinner: The Bright Spot in Goal
Despite the struggles in other areas of the ice, Stuart Skinner remained a bright spot for the Oilers during Games 61-70. Skinner showed maturity and resilience, handling the pressure of being a number-one goaltender for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. His confidence in net, paired with his ability to make timely saves, kept the Oilers competitive in many games where they might have faltered in previous years.
Though Jack Campbell continued to struggle with inconsistency, Skinner’s steady play provided the team with a dependable option. Over the course of these games, Skinner posted several strong performances that kept the Oilers in the fight for playoff positioning, particularly when McDavid was sidelined with his injury.
Looking Ahead: Can the Oilers Overcome These Obstacles?
As Games 61-70 came to a close, the Oilers found themselves in a precarious position. While they had recaptured some of their rhythm and were showing signs of improvement on the ice, injuries had taken a toll on key players, and their defensive and special teams struggles were becoming harder to ignore. However, the Oilers still had a core group of players capable of making noise in the postseason, and with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge, they remained one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Moving forward, Edmonton’s ability to address their injury concerns and shore up their defensive play will be critical. The Oilers can score with the best of them, but in the postseason, it is often the defense and goaltending that determine success. With Skinner continuing to develop and the defense showing signs of improvement, Edmonton still had time to solidify its game before the playoffs.
The next stretch of games would likely determine whether the Oilers could make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or whether their inability to stay healthy and their defensive shortcomings would once again prevent them from reaching their full potential. The Oilers had the offensive firepower to compete, but could they finally put it all together when it mattered most? The next few weeks would be crucial.
