HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Will the Edmonton Oilers make the playoffs?

I predicted that they wouldn't make it at the beginning of the year and I stand by that prediction- at least as they are now. Despite their recent success, the Pacific is stronger than it gets credit for and going 9-3-2 since hiring Hitch has merely kept them in lockstep with the rest of their division.

Tough to slog through missing 2 of your top-4 Dmen long term (Klefbom and Sekera) and one capable top-4 guy shorter term (Russell).

However, depth scoring has improved to around league average since Hitch took over so adding a top-6 scorer like Nyquist and getting our top-4 back in order might change what I think their fate is.

WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH
WE WANT GARTH

I doubt it. Hitchcock's gameplan is to ride McDavid as hard as any player has been ridden before.

That's gotta take it's toll.

He's going to either get hurt or get burnt out.

If i don't get a Garth article, I will scream

Let's hope so! Bring back the Battle of Alberta!

Right now the defence is a stark reminder of the defence iced during the decade of darkness. Which is most likely how most defences would look missing 3 of there top 4. At the beginning of the season I did not think they had what it in them. They essentially iced the same team as last year.

Then they started to change the narative. Going into the season with out an external help to replace the hole of sekera, did not help this situation any. Now its not 1 of the top 4 its 3 of the top 4. It was clear in the Vancouver game, this defense as is does not have what it takes. I believe that they need to find some back end help to get them through and they will have a playoff hope. As is, the next 6 weeks like this, uh oh!! They will be in the basement by mid January. I hope I eat crow on this. However I am sure many probably many feel the same way.

Yes. The Ducks won’t.

Yes. The Ducks won’t.
- RafiDRW

that whole division is such a mess. Not a single top tier team there. A few mediocre ones, and then a bunch of garbage.

Neither should make the playoffs, but one might have to. Two of Anaheim, San Jose, Edmonton and Vegas will make the playoffs, simply because there are 3 divisional seeds. Calgary is a pretty "meh" team, and they'll get to face a wildcard team.