The Wraparound: What Is The Edmonton Oilers’ Biggest Concern Heading Into The Playoffs?

As the NHL regular season heads toward its conclusion and the playoff picture begins to solidify, one team that continues to capture attention is the Edmonton Oilers. With a roster full of star power, including two-time Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers are once again considered among the elite teams in the league. However, despite their firepower and regular-season success, questions loom as to whether they have what it takes to finally secure a Stanley Cup.

One of the most pressing concerns for the Edmonton Oilers heading into the 2025 playoffs is the state of their defense and goaltending. While their offensive prowess is undeniable, the team’s struggles on the other side of the puck could derail their postseason ambitions if not addressed. In this article, we’ll break down what exactly the Oilers’ biggest concern is as they prepare for the playoffs and how it could impact their chances of going all the way.

The Oilers’ Offensive Powerhouse: An Unmatched Duo

Before diving into the team’s areas of concern, it’s essential to acknowledge just how potent the Oilers’ offense has been in recent seasons. McDavid and Draisaitl have dominated the league, forming one of the most fearsome duos in modern hockey history. Both players are in the conversation for MVP honors every season, and their ability to take over games has been a key reason the Oilers have been able to contend.

McDavid, in particular, continues to rewrite the record books. As of now, he’s leading the league in points and assists, and he shows no signs of slowing down. His incredible speed, vision, and hockey IQ make him nearly impossible to stop in one-on-one situations. Draisaitl complements McDavid perfectly, with his elite shooting and playmaking abilities making him a constant threat as well.

Together, they’ve helped propel the Oilers to a top-five offense in the NHL. However, while they generate goals at an elite level, the questions surrounding their defensive capabilities are much more critical. Without defensive stability and the right goaltending, even the most explosive offense can find itself struggling in the postseason.

Defensive Concerns: Can the Oilers Compete with Elite Teams?

While the Oilers boast one of the best offenses in the league, their defense has often been their Achilles’ heel. The blue line has been a work in progress, and despite a few acquisitions, the team still lacks a true shutdown defensive corps. This vulnerability becomes even more glaring when going up against powerhouse teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, or Boston Bruins, who have more balanced rosters that can defend well while also scoring efficiently.

The Oilers’ defense, especially when it comes to managing the puck in their own zone, remains inconsistent. They struggle with puck movement under pressure, often failing to clear the zone efficiently, and giving up too many high-danger chances in front of their goaltender. While players like Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard are capable, the Oilers’ defense doesn’t yet have the depth or top-tier shutdown capability to match the best teams in the league.

In past playoff runs, this has been a glaring weakness, and while general manager Ken Holland has made moves to improve the defense, it’s still a major question mark. For the Oilers to make a deep playoff run, they need to bolster their defense, especially when facing top offensive threats. Adding a proven top-four defenseman at the trade deadline could have been the right move to address this issue, but it remains to be seen if their current group can hold up under playoff pressure.

Goaltending: A Consistent Concern

Perhaps the most critical issue for the Oilers heading into the playoffs is their goaltending situation. While they’ve seen solid performances from both Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner, neither has been able to consistently provide the type of elite goaltending necessary to propel the team to a Stanley Cup.

Jack Campbell, who was signed to a five-year deal in the 2022 offseason, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His performance has been a rollercoaster, with some stretches of strong play followed by stretches of poor form. This inconsistency makes it difficult for the Oilers to have faith in their goaltending situation heading into the playoffs, where elite goaltending can be the difference between winning and losing.

Stuart Skinner, on the other hand, has been a revelation in his second year as a full-time starter. He has a solid frame, quick reflexes, and has shown he can step up in big moments. While Skinner has been solid in the regular season, there remains uncertainty about whether he can replicate that success in the playoffs. Playoff hockey requires a level of composure and mental fortitude that often separates good goalies from great ones. If Skinner can step up and provide steady goaltending, the Oilers’ chances will improve dramatically. However, if he falters, the team could quickly find itself outmatched in the postseason.

For the Oilers to succeed, they need a goaltender who can steal a game when necessary, and right now, there are questions about whether their current duo is capable of this. If they want to compete with the top-tier teams, particularly those with elite offenses, the goaltending position needs to be resolved.

Special Teams: Power Play and Penalty Kill

While the Oilers’ power play has long been one of the best in the league due to McDavid and Draisaitl, their penalty kill has been inconsistent and vulnerable. Special teams play is often a major deciding factor in the playoffs, and for the Oilers to make a deep run, they’ll need to improve their penalty kill significantly.

The Oilers’ power play is essentially unstoppable with McDavid at the helm. It’s one of the most efficient in NHL history and has been a key factor in their offensive success. However, their penalty kill has been lacking, and this could come back to haunt them in tight, high-pressure playoff games. Facing teams like the Colorado Avalanche or Tampa Bay Lightning, who possess elite power-play units of their own, the Oilers will need to tighten up their penalty kill if they’re going to avoid giving up key goals in crucial moments.

In the postseason, special teams can make or break a series, and if the Oilers cannot stay out of the penalty box or fail to kill off penalties effectively, it will limit their chances of making a deep run.

The Road Ahead: What Needs to Happen for the Oilers?

Despite these concerns, the Edmonton Oilers are not without hope. They have the offensive firepower to beat anyone, and with the right adjustments, they could mitigate their weaknesses. If Skinner or Campbell can find a level of consistency in the crease, the Oilers’ chances improve considerably.

In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland may look to make a move at the trade deadline to address the defensive gaps, bringing in a player capable of stabilizing the blue line and providing more defensive depth. A reliable defender with playoff experience could go a long way in helping the team.

Ultimately, it will come down to how well the Oilers execute in all three zones — offense, defense, and goaltending. While McDavid and Draisaitl will always be their primary strength, the team’s success will hinge on their ability to be a more well-rounded squad. If the Oilers can find the right balance and get consistent goaltending, they are more than capable of contending for a Stanley Cup.