The rapidly fading With everything going wrong, the Edmonton Oilers lose another game, raising more questions about their chances of making the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025 NHL season with high expectations. Led by generational talent Connor McDavid, the team was poised to build on its recent success and finally make a legitimate push for the Stanley Cup. With McDavid and fellow star Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers’ offense was expected to be one of the most potent in the league. The addition of veteran players, the continued development of young talent, and improvements made by general manager Ken Holland seemed to position the Oilers as a serious contender in the Western Conference.

However, as the season has progressed, the Oilers have found themselves in a troubling slide, with each loss piling on the pressure. A series of unfortunate events and an inability to execute consistently has caused their hopes of making the playoffs to fade rapidly. After yet another defeat in their most recent game, the Edmonton Oilers are left in a dire situation. Fans, analysts, and players themselves are now questioning whether this team can make the necessary adjustments to salvage its season and secure a playoff spot, or if the season has already slipped away.

The Current State of the Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers’ recent struggles are not just about losing a few games here and there—there is a deeper issue with the team’s overall structure and execution. As of late, the Oilers have been consistently losing to both top-tier teams and bottom-dwellers alike. The team has allowed uncharacteristic breakdowns defensively, misfired on power plays, and watched as their goaltending struggled to maintain consistency.

This pattern was evident in their most recent loss—a game in which the Oilers seemed out of sync from start to finish. Their offense, typically an overwhelming force, looked disjointed, and their defense couldn’t prevent high-quality scoring chances from piling up. Even with McDavid and Draisaitl at the helm, the Oilers struggled to generate sustained pressure, and their inability to make the most of their opportunities was glaring.

Defensive Woes: The Achilles’ Heel

One of the most persistent issues for the Oilers this season has been their defense. Despite possessing high-end offensive talent, the team has continually fallen short in defending their own end. The Oilers’ blueline, which was supposed to be improved, remains a significant weakness, and the team has yet to find the right combination of defensemen to complement their explosive offense.

Darnell Nurse, the Oilers’ top defenseman, has had a solid season in certain respects, but there have been glaring mistakes on the back end that have cost the team games. Cody Ceci has been inconsistent, and Evan Bouchard has struggled to find his footing as a reliable contributor. While the team made some moves in the offseason to shore up its defense, the results have not been as expected.

The Oilers’ lack of defensive depth has been compounded by their struggles on the penalty kill, where they rank among the worst in the league. Too many times this season, Edmonton has found themselves in penalty trouble, and with an inefficient penalty kill unit, it has allowed opponents to capitalize on their mistakes. The inability to stay out of the penalty box, combined with a leaky defense, has undermined the Oilers’ chances of winning games, especially against strong teams that can take advantage of their deficiencies.

Goaltending Struggles: A Pivotal Issue

When the Oilers signed Jack Campbell to a long-term contract, it was expected that he would be the stable presence in net that the team needed to compete for a championship. However, Campbell’s performances have been inconsistent, and the goaltending situation has remained a point of concern all season long. In a critical period for the Oilers, Campbell’s inability to steal games or provide a reliable foundation has left the team scrambling.

Stuart Skinner, who was expected to be a strong backup, has also failed to rise to the occasion in key moments. While he has shown glimpses of solid play, he has struggled to consistently perform at the level needed for the Oilers to secure victories. This inconsistency in goal has left the Oilers with a significant weakness, as the team is unable to rely on its goaltenders to make crucial saves when needed most.

In many of the losses, including the most recent one, it has been the goaltending that has played a pivotal role in the downfall. Mistakes are often magnified when a team isn’t getting the saves they need, and Edmonton has found itself in a vicious cycle where defensive breakdowns and goaltending issues are compounded.

The Power Play: From Strength to Weakness

Historically, the Oilers’ power play has been one of the most lethal in the league, thanks to the presence of McDavid, Draisaitl, and other skilled players. However, during their recent losing streak, the power play has been surprisingly ineffective. Despite having a power-play unit filled with some of the best offensive players in the league, Edmonton has struggled to capitalize on its opportunities.

The Oilers’ power play has become predictable, and opponents have been able to effectively counter it. McDavid and Draisaitl, who have been so successful in the past, have been stifled, as teams have developed better strategies to neutralize their talents on the man advantage. The lack of creativity and inability to generate sustained pressure on the power play has hurt the Oilers during their recent losses, leaving them with fewer opportunities to take control of games.

As the Oilers continue to slide, their power play struggles have only added to the sense of urgency. With McDavid and Draisaitl in the lineup, the expectation is that the power play will be a weapon, not a liability. But the reality is that, at this moment, the Oilers’ special teams—once a major strength—have become a source of frustration for both the players and fans alike.

Coaching Decisions: The Pressure on Jay Woodcroft

Head coach Jay Woodcroft, who took over the Oilers’ bench in 2022 and has led the team to the playoffs since, is facing increasing pressure as the team continues to falter. Woodcroft has made adjustments throughout the season, trying to find the right line combinations and defensive pairings to stabilize the team. However, his strategies have not yielded the desired results.

The Oilers’ disjointed play, especially in the defensive zone, has raised questions about the coaching staff’s ability to make the necessary changes to get the team back on track. While Woodcroft is highly regarded for his ability to work with offensive talent, there is a growing sentiment that he hasn’t been able to find the right balance between offense and defense. His recent decisions, such as pairing certain players together and experimenting with different lineups, have not been enough to turn the tide.

With the Oilers’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Woodcroft is now in the hot seat. The coach needs to find a way to address the defensive breakdowns, improve the goaltending situation, and reinvigorate the power play if the Oilers are to avoid an early exit from postseason contention. If the team continues to lose, there could be questions about whether Woodcroft is the right person to lead the Oilers through this crisis.

The Playoff Push: Can the Oilers Turn Things Around?

As the Oilers continue to lose, the team’s playoff hopes are rapidly slipping away. Despite McDavid’s brilliance, the Oilers’ inability to consistently put together a full 60-minute performance has left them in a precarious position. Their struggles have allowed teams in the Western Conference to catch up, and Edmonton now finds itself battling not only for a playoff spot but for a meaningful position within the standings.

The Oilers’ path to the postseason is increasingly uncertain, and the team’s future depends on a drastic turnaround in both individual performances and team dynamics. The goaltending situation must be resolved, and the defense needs to tighten up. Meanwhile, McDavid and Draisaitl need to be more than just offensive forces—they need to lead the team in every facet of the game.

To make the playoffs, the Oilers will need to dig deep and find a way to execute when it matters most. The good news is that the team still has time to turn things around. However, with every loss, their chances of making a significant playoff run dwindle.