Yahoo Sports Edmonton Oilers' Busy Schedule Sets Them Up For Possible Season-Changing Run
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers won the first of five games in eight days when they beat the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. It could be the beginning of a run that changes their season for the better.
Around this time last season, the Oilers hired Kris Knoblauch to replace coach Jay Woodcroft after the team dug a huge hole. The team then went on a spectacular run, which included a 16-game winning streak, and catapulted up the standings. They became one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the remainder of the season, falling one game shy of the Stanley Cup.
Following Tuesday's big overtime win, the Oilers appear to have found their game ahead of this busy stretch.
A strong showing against the Nashville Predators (Thursday), the Toronto Maple Leafs (Saturday), Montreal Canadiens (Monday) and Ottawa Senators (Tuesday), this could be the moment the Oilers can argue they're back. Three of the five games are on the road, and while they don't play divisional opponents, a jump in the standings is possible.
Edmonton sits ninth in the Western Conference standings and just five points back of third place. They're 16th leaguewide, but a string of wins could jump them into the top five. It's the kind of momentum that could swing their season, just as Connor McDavid reaches 1,000 points in his career, and other players are starting to find their respective games.
The Oilers got their first blowout win of the season against the Vancouver Canucks, then won a close one in overtime. They found two completely different ways to win, and they'll be facing a Nashville team they have traditionally beaten up. It would be the team's first three-game winning streak of the season, and a short run could lead to a long run.
Sometimes, Teams Need To Be So Busy They Can't Overthink Things
The Oilers have a busy stretch ahead, with significant milestones for their star players, a demanding road trip filled with back-to-back games and key opportunities to pull away from the pack. These positives come at a crucial time as the team looks to distance itself from a disappointing start to the season.
A team that made several changes to their roster needed something to bond over. A strong showing during a string of rapid-fire games could be it. The team will need everyone's best.
This hectic schedule might be exactly what the doctor ordered. If last season tells us anything, the Oilers going on a bit of a run and gaining momentum is a dangerous thing for the rest of the NHL.
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