Following a 6-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night, the Edmonton Oilers might finally be looking to form.
After starting the season 2-9-1, briefly holding worst record in the NHL, the Oilers (10-12-1) have stormed back over the last couple of weeks, and are climbing back into the playoff picture.
Since Nov. 11, Edmonton is 8-3-0. They are winners of their last five games, tied with (of all teams) the Arizona Coyotes for the longest active win streak in the league.
Captain Connor McDavid has been on an absolute heater, getting onto the scoresheet in seven straight games, scoring four goals and 15 assists over that span. Zach Hyman, who scored a hat trick against the Hurricanes, has scored 11 goals in his last 10 games.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner has also played better, winning eight of his last 10 starts, including making 40 saves against Carolina.
Edmonton is up to sixth in the Pacific Division, 12 points back of the Vancouver Canucks for third in the division, and are six back of the St. Louis Blues for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, guest host Colby Cohen talked about the team’s recent surge.
olby Cohen: Their power play has been absolutely dominant. Their best players have not only been their best players, but they’ve been the best in the NHL. To me, they’re playing a lot more thorough with the puck. They look they have a little bit of that playoff identity back where it’s not constant [odd-man rushes]. You’re not seeing unnecessary pinches at the blueline…I think Stuart Skinner has played well over this stretch, but I don’t think he’s been put under the constant duress that we saw…early in this season.
You can watch the segment and the full episode here…
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