NHL playoffs 2017: Edmonton Oilers preview
By Adam Stocker
The Edmonton Oilers return to the NHL playoffs for the first time since losing the Stanley Cup Final in 2006.
In 2006, the Edmonton Oilers went on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final behind the play of goalie Dwayne Roloson. In Game 1 of that series, the Oilers’ championship dreams were crushed when Roloson suffered an MCL injury. Carolina would defeat the Oilers in seven games to win its first championship. That was the last time the Oilers were in the playoffs.
In the years since, the Oilers were routinely at the bottom of the standings. Edmonton won three consecutive draft lotteries between 2010-12 and again in 2015. Taylor Hall was the first player drafted to be the team’s savior but after six seasons the Oilers traded him to the New jersey Devils in the offseason for defenseman Adam Larsson.
The following season the Oilers drafted the next savior in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but injuries have stalled his progress as a professional. The following season, Edmonton drafted Nail Yakupov, but after four seasons gave up on him and traded him to the St. Louis Blues.
In 2015, the Oilers savior finally survived. The Oilers jumped the Buffalo Sabres and won the NHL Draft Lottery and selected Connor McDavid. McDavid arrived and was as good as advertised. In two seasons with the Oilers, McDavid has 145 points in 125 games. Prior to the season, Edmonton named the 19-year-old its team captain. This season, McDavid delivered, netting the Oilers their first playoff appearance while winning the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading point scorer.
Why they can win
The argument for the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup is a two-player conversation. If Edmonton is going to win the Cup it will be because McDavid proves he is the best player in the world. In addition to McDavid, the Oilers need goalie Cam Talbot to steal multiple games.
In addition to McDavid, the Oilers have secondary scoring options. Edmonton finished in the top 10 in goals this season. McDavid was the only Oiler to score more than 30 goals, but six other players scored more than 15 goals. Third-year German forward Leon Draisaitl is having a fantastic season. The Oilers need Draisaitl to produce secondary offense if they are going to advance deep into the playoffs.
Why they can’t win
The Oilers invested the majority of their high draft picks over the past decade in forwards. The lack of draft capital invested in the blue line has made defense the weakness of the club. The argument against Edmonton winning is the lack of talent and depth on the back end. The Oilers top four of Oscar Klefbom, Andrej Sekera, Kris Russell, and Larsson, will likely play at least 21 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Of the four, only Klefbom is a No. 2 defender. Sekera, Russell, and Larsson are good players, but the three are second-pairing players. The Oilers lack a true No. 1 defenseman who is capable of shutting down an opposing team’s top line.
The third pairing for Edmonton will feature two of Eric Gryba, Darnell Nurse or Matt Benning. The third pair will have to play approximately 17 minutes per game.
X-Factor
The Oilers need Talbot to be their best player if they are going to advance far in the playoffs. Edmonton rode Talbot all season long, with the 29-year-old leading all goalies in games started, being the only goaltender to start over 70 games.
Edmonton does not have a good enough roster to advance with average play in net. In the regular season, Talbot’s 91.9 save percentage ranked eighth in the league among goalies who started more than 41 games. In the playoffs, the Oilers are going to need Talbot to be even better.
Prediction
The Oilers face the San Jose Sharks in the first round. This could, and should, go the distance. Both teams have explosive offensive talent, with the main advantage being experience on San Jose’s side. Still, look for Edmonton to survive before falling to the Anaheim Ducks.