Is the Oilers' 2026 Playoff Run Over Before it Starts?

You know, I really should have made a New Year's Resolution to stop trying to figure out the Edmonton Oilers. Last year, I said that they'd lose to the Kings in Round 1 because LA had home ice finally. The year before, I said they were done and screwed after a bad start. In both years, they reached the Stanley Cup Final. Yes, they lost both years, but still, they were there and we can't take that away from them.

The last two years are a huge boost from previous years where the Oilers would find ways to blow it. This year, the Oilers find themselves in a terrible Pacific Division, yet barely hanging on because they've slipped on almost as many banana peels as everyone else. One thing I never said: I never said they'd miss the playoffs. I know better than that. NOW.

The Oilers did clinch a spot in this year's playoffs, continuing their current streak; they have reached the playoffs every year in this decade. However, they backed in. They needed just one point in the standings, but didn't get that; they lost 1-0 to the Los Angeles Kings. They would need the Winnipeg Jets to not win in regulation, and the Jets were blasted, 7-1, to the Philadelphia Flyers.

So the Oilers are back in the playoffs, but they face a lot of questions right now:

And there they are, folks. Superman and Batman. Thing is, Batman's been sidelined for a while. Superman's still doing his thing. Connor McDavid's going to win the Ross Trophy this year. 133 points (47G/86A) for McDavid this season. Good grief! Leon Draisaitl has been doing his thing, but he's been out for a few weeks now. And it's getting worse. The original story was that Leon would be out for just the rest of the regular season. Now? He may not be back for Game One, at least. If that really is true, Edmonton better win the division. They might have a chance of advancing if they finish first in the Pacific. Emphasis on "might."

As usual, the closest thing to Connor and Leon on that team is Evan Bouchard. Bouchard continues to impress and has for the last few years, and this year, he has 91 points (21G/70A). There's all sorts of talk about Bouchard winning the Norris this year. As good as Bouchard is, those saying he should win the Norris are forgetting that Cale Makar exists.

And then there's the goaltending. Oh boy. I'm dead serious, I don't know what's worse in sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers' inability to fill the QB void following Big Ben's retirement, or the Oilers still failing to obtain anything resembling good goaltending. No wonder Connor and Leon are getting all the points and goals! They have to! Edmonton's poor excuses for goalies couldn't keep a beach ball out! This team was stupid enough to trade Stuart Skinner for Tristan Jarry. Yeah, Skinner had his problems, but he did well enough during the last two years to get the Oilers to the Cup Final both years. Jarry, however, makes Mike Smith look like Grant Fuhr in net. They have three goalies and all of them have a save percentage below .900. That is not good at all.

I do foresee messiness with the Oilers, but that's all I'll say. I know this much: it will be fun and interesting to watch the Oilers in the playoffs. It really has been lately. The last four years have been interesting, and this year should be really eye-opening due to the fact that they won't be starting the playoffs against LA this time. If they win the division, they'll face the Utah Mammoth. If they don't, it'll be either Vegas or Anaheim most likely. In any event, it's going to be fun.