They sit third in the Pacific Division, but only four points separate them from the playoff line.
HockeyStats’ analytics model has them at a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs, which is favourable but far from a foregone conclusion, like it was at this point in the season the past few years. Their 28-23-8 record is undoubtedly a major disappointment given the expectations coming into the year.
Most of Edmonton’s core players, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard, have done their jobs. The supporting cast, however, has deteriorated around them. Without McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice, the Oilers have been outscored by a dreadful 61-32 margin.
Someone outside of the top two…