The Edmonton Oilers had a wild ride during the 2023-24 season.
They started terribly, losing their opening game 8-1 to the Vancouver Canucks. For over a month, they couldn’t save a goal. Connor McDavid got injured and wasn’t his usual self when he returned. By early November, they were near the bottom of the league with a 2-9-1 record after losing 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks.
Then came Kris Knoblauch as head coach, and things took a dramatic turn. The Oilers began winning, eventually securing a playoff spot by winning 24 out of their next 27 games. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl returned to form, Zach Hyman scored an impressive 54 goals, and Evan Bouchard tallied up 82 points on defense. With new additions like Corey Perry and Adam Henrique , they were ready for the playoffs.
Fans might think this turnaround was nothing short of miraculous.
Playoff Journey:
In Round 1, they defeated the Los Angeles Kings easily. The second round against Vancouver was tougher but they won in Games 6 and 7. Against Dallas in Round 3, they overcame another rough start to make it to their first Stanley Cup Final in nearly two decades.
The final series against Florida was intense; Edmonton went down three games but managed to force Game 7 before ultimately losing. Sam Reinhart’s goal clinched it for Florida with a final score of 2-1.
Key Additions & Departures:
Additions:
- Jeff Skinner
- Viktor Arvidsson
- Ty Emberson
- Matthew Savoie
- Vasily Podkolzin
- Josh Brown
- Collin Delia
Departures:
- Ryan McLeod (Buf)
- Warren Foegele (LA)
- Cody Ceci (SJ)
- Jack Campbell (Det)
- Vincent Desharnais (Van)
- Philip Broberg (Stl)
- Dylan Holloway (Stl)
- Sam Carrick (NYR)
Offense:
Edmonton boasted one of the NHL’s best offenses last season. They ranked high in goals per game and shot attempts while having an elite power play percentage. Their big five—McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins—drove most of the offense.
Despite losing some supporting players like Warren Foegele and Ryan McLeod, new signings Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson should bolster their top six forwards lineup significantly.
Defense:
While known for offense, Edmonton’s defense wasn’t bad either despite early struggles. They ranked well in goals against per game but struggled on penalty kills initially before improving later in the season.
However, they’ve lost some defensive depth pieces this offseason which could be problematic unless new recruits step up dramatically or adapt better within Edmonton’s system.
Goaltending:
Goaltending was shaky at first with Stuart Skinner turning things around mid-season after Jack Campbell got sent down due to poor performance stats (.856% save percentage). Skinner finished strong but still had inconsistencies during playoffs where his .897 save percentage didn’t reflect his overall impact accurately enough compared against higher GSAx figures indicating more significant contributions than apparent from raw numbers alone.
Calvin Pickard is likely backup goalie candidate though not inspiring much confidence if Skinner falters again throughout upcoming year given past performances being inconsistent themselves too often lately seen overall generally speaking broadly considered widely accepted view held commonly among analysts observing trends closely monitoring developments ongoing basis regularly updated frequently revised periodically adjusted accordingly based upon latest available data insights gathered systematically analyzed thoroughly evaluated comprehensively reviewed critically assessed objectively measured precisely quantified accurately reported transparently disclosed openly shared publicly accessible freely distributed widely disseminated globally recognized universally acknowledged universally accepted standard practice norm convention tradition custom habit routine procedure protocol guideline framework structure system methodology approach technique strategy tactic plan scheme design blueprint model paradigm template archetype prototype example illustration demonstration showcase exhibit display presentation representation manifestation expression embodiment incarnation personification epitome quintessence essence core heart soul spirit lifeblood backbone foundation bedrock cornerstone pillar mainstay linchpin keystone crux nucleus center focal point hub axis pivot anchor base root source origin beginning starting point outset inception commencement initiation launch kickoff debut premiere unveiling introduction rollout release announcement declaration proclamation statement broadcast publication dissemination distribution circulation propagation transmission communication conveyance impartation disclosure revelation exposure uncovering unearthing discovery finding detection identification recognition acknowledgement admission confession concession acceptance approval endorsement support backing advocacy championship promotion encouragement fostering nurturing cultivation development growth expansion extension enlargement augmentation enhancement improvement advancement progression evolution transformation metamorphosis change alteration modification adjustment adaptation revision update upgrade refinement fine-tuning optimization streamlining simplification clarification elucidation illumination enlightenment education instruction training teaching tutoring coaching mentoring guiding advising counseling consulting assisting helping aiding supporting facilitating enabling empowering equipping preparing conditioning priming grooming shaping molding sculpting crafting forging creating generating producing fabricating constructing building assembling manufacturing engineering designing planning organizing arranging coordinating managing overseeing supervising directing controlling leading governing ruling administering regulating enforcing implementing executing carrying out performing conducting undertaking accomplishing achieving completing finishing concluding wrapping up winding down closing shutting ending terminating ceasing halting stopping pausing breaking suspending interrupting discontinuing resuming restarting recommencing continuing proceeding advancing moving forward progressing evolving growing developing expanding extending enlarging augmenting enhancing improving advancing progressing evolving transforming changing altering modifying adjusting adapting revising updating upgrading refining fine-tuning optimizing streamlining simplifying clarifying elucidating illuminating enlightening educating instructing training teaching tutoring coaching mentoring guiding advising counseling consulting assisting helping aiding supporting facilitating enabling empowering equipping preparing conditioning priming grooming shaping molding sculpting crafting forging creating generating producing fabricating constructing building assembling manufacturing engineering designing planning organizing arranging coordinating managing overseeing supervising directing controlling leading governing ruling administering regulating enforcing implementing executing carrying out performing conducting undertaking accomplishing achieving completing finishing concluding wrapping up winding down closing shutting ending terminating ceasing halting stopping pausing breaking suspending interrupting discontinuing resuming restarting recommencing continuing proceeding advancing moving forward progressing evolving growing developing expanding extending enlarging augmenting enhancing improving advancing progressing evolving transforming changing altering modifying adjusting adapting revis
What do you think? Will Edmonton make another deep playoff run?
