3. They’re much deeper at forward than you think
Looking at the Oilers, it’s easy to say that forward depth is their biggest weakness. There’s a huge gap between Leon Draisaitl and Lucic – their second- and third-highest scorers – in terms of points this season. Draisaitl has 77 points, and Lucic has 50. Furthermore, anyone who hasn’t played with McDavid this season has fewer than 20 goals.
But there’s more to it than that. Lucic was acquired because the Oilers wanted a proven goal-scorer who could protect McDavid. Well, mission accomplished. McDavid didn’t suffer an injury at all this year, and Lucic got over 20 goals and assists. He’s also heading into the playoffs on a four-game point streak, so he’s heating up at the right time.
Patrick Maroon’s 27 goals are, by and large, a product of playing on McDavid’s wing, but there’s nothing wrong with being in the right place at the right time. And, if anything, Nail Yakupov last year proved that you can’t just stick anyone on a line with McDavid and expect them to produce.
While Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle have dropped off this year, they can still be relied upon. Eberle’s 31 assists this year are also proof that he’s still a great playmaker. And finally, 16 goals and 35 points isn’t too shabby for fourth-line center Mark Letestu.
This isn’t taking anything away from McDavid. He’s the heart and soul of the Oilers, and the reason why they’re back in the playoffs. But he isn’t the only forward winning them games this year, and he won’t be the only one who can be relied upon come playoff time.