The Edmonton Oilers are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, as they currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division. They are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, with a 9-2-0 record in their last 11 games. The additions of Matthias Ekholm and Nick Bjugstad have paid off in a big way, as they are threatening the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings for the top spot in the division.
Over their final ten games of the season, Tankathon.com’s strength of schedule calculation gives the Oilers the fifth-easiest schedule across the entire league.
Playoff implications are in full effect, as they have two games against both the Golden Knight and Kings. To improve their chances of winning the Pacific division this season, those games against the Golden Knights will be crucial.
The two games facing the Kings could potentially be a preview of the first round of the playoffs, as those two teams would face one another if the season ended today. Home-ice advantage was crucial in their series last year, with the Oilers winning game seven on home ice to advance to the next round.
Flipping to the lighter part of the schedule, the Oilers will face the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks twice, including the Arizona Coyotes one final time. These games against bottom feeders will be especially interesting for Connor McDavid and his chase for 70 goals. He is currently on pace to finish the season with 68, but given the light schedule, he should have every opportunity to hit that mark.
This schedule should do the organization plenty of favors in keeping up this torrid pace that they are currently on. That will allow them to enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
