Edmonton Oilers
Record: 37-25-9, 83 points
Playoff position: Second place in Pacific Division, three points behind Vegas Golden Knights.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have powered the Oilers into Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
Edmonton has reached the playoffs one time in the past 13 seasons and not since 2016-17, McDavid's second season and Draisaitl's third. However, at the pause, they are in a good position to do so, four points ahead of the third-place Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division and five ahead of the fourth-place Vancouver Canucks.
McDavid and Draisaitl have a lot to do with that.
Draisaitl leads the NHL with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games and is a top candidate to be voted winner of the Hart Trophy as MVP of the League. He already has exceeded his previous NHL career high of 105 points, which he set last season in 82 games.
The Oilers forward has a 13-point lead on McDavid, who is second in the scoring race with 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 64 games.
Their production and leadership has been unmistakable, but the Oilers have also benefitted from the latest organizational reset.
Edmonton hired general manager Ken Holland on May 7, 2019, and coach Dave Tippett three weeks later. The new regime got off to a good start with its culture and style changes, when the Oilers went 8-2-1 in their first 11 games.
They have had ups and downs since but have limited the length of the poor stretches, losing more than two games in a row in regulation once this season (three-game streak from Dec. 10-14).
Major factors in that are improved goaltending, from Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith, who signed with Edmonton as a free agent July 1, 2019, and a sturdier defense under Tippett. Edmonton is allowing 3.03 goals per game, 15th in the NHL. Last season, the Oilers allowed 3.30 goals per game, tied for 25th.
Breakout player
Ethan Bear: It's been good news for the Oilers that they have several candidates in this category, including Koskinen and forward Kailer Yamamoto. But the most important breakout player in terms of Edmonton's stability has been Bear. The rookie defenseman has played regularly in the top four, most often paired with veteran Darnell Nurse, and has averaged 21:58 of ice time per game, most among NHL rookies. Along with providing a steady presence, Bear has 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 71 games.
Statement win
Oilers 8, Flames 3, Feb. 1: McDavid scored two goals and Draisaitl had four assists for the Oilers in an emotional road victory against their provincial rival. It was Edmonton's first win in four games against Calgary this season (1-2-1). The game had 102 penalty minutes and included a fight between Smith and Flames goalie Cam Talbot late in the second period.
Most compelling game
Oilers 4, Washington Capitals 3 (OT), Oct. 24: After two second-period goals by Alex Ovechkin, the Oilers trailed 3-1 heading into the third period. They rallied on a goal by Draisaitl at 4:25, then a goal by McDavid with 1:38 remaining. In overtime, McDavid set up Draisaitl for a goal on a 2-on-1 at 1:18 to complete the comeback and give Edmonton a record of 8-2-1 through its first 11 games.
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