Since the last time I did a dive into the Western Conference standings, the race for the final few playoff spots has become even more competitive. While none of the teams beyond the Big Five of the West are world beaters, hot streaks from Arizona and St. Louis has made life Edmonton’s playoff pursuit more difficult.
1. Calgary Flames
33-13-5 (71 points) / 190 Goals For (2nd) / 145 Goals Against (12th)
Not much to see here. The Flames haven’t dropped a game in regulation since Jan. 3 and now look to be running away with top spot in the Western Conference. The Flames are scoring at will and their goaltending has been steadier than it was in the first half. If the Oilers squeak into the playoffs, there’s a very good chance we’ll see a Battle of Alberta.
2. San Jose Sharks
29-16-7 (65 points) / 187 Goals For (3rd) / 167 Goals Against (25th)
The Sharks have been one of the hottest teams in the league in 2019. San Jose went on a seven-game winning streak after the New Year that featured an impressive 5-2 over Tampa Bay and pulled themselves to second in the Western Conference. The offence has found its groove and the Sharks are looking like the contender everyone expected they would be when they acquired Erik Karlsson in the off-season.
3. Winnipeg Jets
31-16-2 (64 points) / 168 Goals For (8th) / 137 Goals Against (5th)
The Jets and Predators are in a dogfight for first place in the Central Division. The two teams are currently tied in points with 64 but Winnipeg has played three fewer games. The most impressive thing about the Jets is how they’ve continued to roll despite injuries to Nik Ehlers and Dustin Byfuglien.
4. Nashville Predators
30-18-4 (64 points) / 161 Goals For (9th) / 135 Goals Against (4th)
As I said above, the battle in the Central is between Nashville and Winnipeg. Obviously, the goal here is to finish first and get home ice advantage when these two teams inevitably meet in the second round of the playoffs.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
29-19-4 (62 points) / 157 Goals For (10th) / 140 Goals Against (6th)
After a massive hot streak in December and January that was capped off by a seven-game winning streak in the New Year, the Golden Knights have cooled off through a difficult schedule. They’ve dropped four of their last six games, getting dropped by top Western teams like Nashville, Winnipeg, and San Jose. Vegas still has a big lead on the teams below them in the Pacific but San Jose and Calgary might be pulling away when it comes to home ice advantage.
6. Minnesota Wild
26-21-3 (55 points) / 142 Goals For (22nd) / 142 Goals Against (9th)
Here’s where things start to get wild, no pun intended. The last time I looked at the playoff race, the Wild were on the outside of the playoffs looking in, but they’ve since capitalized on poor streaks from Colorado and Dallas to climb up the standings. The key for the Wild to be successful is keeping the puck out of the net. In their current stretch in which they’ve won three of four, Minnesota has allowed just 10 goals.
7. Dallas Stars
24-21-4 (52 points) / 126 Goals For (29th) / 128 Goals Against (2nd)
The Stars have gone into a bit of a tailspin as of late and have fallen back into a logjam in the Western Conference wild card mix. Dallas has dropped five of their last seven games, including losses to basement teams like Los Angeles and St. Louis. They’re having a rough time scoring goals, as they’ve scored more than one goal just twice in their last seven games. I guess CEO Jim Lytes’ message to Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin didn’t help much.
8. Colorado Avalanche
22-20-8 (52 points) / 169 Goals For (7th) / 162 Goals Against (21st)
The Avalanche are in an even bigger tailspin than the Stars. Colorado has dropped 12 of their last 15 games. Their goaltending has cooled off and riding one good offensive line has caught up to them. Colorado had been overachieving all season so this isn’t all too surprising.
9. Vancouver Canucks
23-22-6 (52 points) / 147 Goals For (16th) / 161 Goals Against (20th)
I’ve had a hard time taking Vancouver seriously as a playoff contender all season but here we are. It’s the All-Star break and the Canucks are tied for a playoff spot. They managed to go 2-1-2 while Elias Pettersson was injured and are thoroughly in the mix with the trade deadline approaching. I can’t see them buying, given their long-term plans, but the may opt not to sell given the playoffs are in reach.
10. Anaheim Ducks
21-21-9 (51 points) / 120 Goals For (30th) / 153 Goals Against (19th)
Three things on this planet will survive the apocalypse — twinkies, cockroaches, and the Anaheim Ducks. Despite a 12-game losing streak, the Ducks are one point out of a playoff spot at the All-Star break. They’re old, slow, decimated by injuries, and they can’t score, but Anaheim still finds a way to squeak out wins (and those ever-important overtime losses).
11. Arizona Coyotes
23-23-4 (50 points) / 132 Goals For (28th) / 142 Goals Against (9th)
After a miserable start to the season, some solid play since the New Year has the Coyotes in the mix for a playoff spot. Arizona has won six of their last nine games and have passed the Oilers in the standings. They’ve been excellent at keeping the puck out of the net all year and now their offence is starting to come around a little bit. They might be the dark horse to watch in the West.
12. St. Louis Blues
22-22-5 (49 points) / 139 Goals For (26th) / 149 Goals Against (14th)
Oh man, even the Blues are in the mix now. It looked like the Blues were dead just a few weeks ago, but all it takes to bring you to life in the playoff race in the West is a solid stretch. The Blues have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight games and they now sit three points out of a playoff spot.
13. Edmonton Oilers
23-24-3 (49 points) / 144 Goals For (20th) / 163 Goals Against (23rd)
The Oilers badly need Oscar Klefbom back. They’ve been terrible in their top defender’s absence, going 5-12-1. The poor streak has dropped them to 13th in the standings. While they’re only three points out, they’ll have to jump over a lot of teams to get into a playoff spot.
14. Chicago Blackhawks
18-24-9 (45 points) / 156 Goals For (11th) / 190 Goals Against (31st)
I said last time four teams — including Arizona and St. Louis — were out of the picture and it turned out that wasn’t accurate at all so I don’t even feel comfortable writing off Chicago. I mean, given the way the West is, a stretch where they go 6-3-1 would have the Blackhawks right in the mix. It’s hard to imagine that happening, but you never know.
15. Los Angeles Kings
20-26-4 (44 points) / 114 Goals For (31st) / 150 Goals Against (17th)
I am confident saying L.A. is out of the picture. They began their firesale on Monday shipping Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs and guys like Alec Martinez, Tyler Toffoli, and Jeff Carter could be next.
What does it all mean?
Only six points separate the Minnesota Wild, who sit sixth in the West, and the Edmonton Oilers, who sit 13th. Last time, I broke the West into three tiers. The first was the locks: Calgary, San Jose, Vegas, Nashville, and Winnipeg. That hasn’t changed. The only thing that has changed is two teams from the basement tier have moved into the middle tier. Arizona and St. Louis are thoroughly in the playoff mix, further convoluting the Western Conference race for the final few playoff spots.
The Oilers aren’t in an admirable position right now. As I said earlier, while three points isn’t a huge hurdle, they have to jump a handful of teams to get back into a playoff spot. The key for the Oilers, and this isn’t rocket science by any stretch, will be winning games against the teams they have to hop. They have 32 games left, and nine of them will come against teams fighting with them in that middle tier. If the Oilers can win a good chunk of those games, it’ll go a long way in salvaging their season.
Wonderful article. It’s fun to talk about the Oilers in January about having a shot at making the playoffs. It’s up to the players and coaching staff to do it. Go Oilers.
This is wonderful? Having the best player in the world in year 4 outside of a playoff picture (I would bet my last dollar they wont make it) ? Your standards have been grossly lowered.
Agreed, my standards have been lowered by this organization. My comment is about the article and the fact the Oilers are still in it in January. I am trying to be supportive and positive about right now and, as of today, they are in the race so Go Oilers!
No, “wonderful” would be talking about how it’s going to be great watching the Oilers and Flames in a dogfight the rest of the season for 1st in the Pacific, but…I feel ya.
This organization has badly skewed some peoples ability to think logically in terms of competence, product delivery..and so forth.
Depth does matter . Especially defensively.
“Only six points separate the Minnesota Wild, who sit sixth in the West, and the Edmonton Oilers, who sit 13th”
Ok, but is this normal??? What was it like last year at this time? You just left out the most important comparison
Historically at this point in the season, how many teams make it when they are 6 points out? This is not that hard to do, we expect this kind of analysis here
Seems kind of harsh considering how much we pay to get on the site… (ie nothing).
It really considering how much they make off it
*not.
Edit button people!!!!!
Lets go oilers get rested and take 4 points on the weekend.
Well lets look at this. First game back from a break the Oilers play like crap. Afternoon game the Oilers play like crap. Both the games this weekend are afternoon games.
It is not looking so good.
Your negativity is not welcome flames fan , go back to Calgary !!!!!
You were told you were special often, weren’t you.
There is an article in the Hockey Writers about how how OBC is not involved (And then proceed to list their involvement). Might want to give it a read, but I would eat my lunch first. Playoffs? Not happening.
Only fools are fooled by the no OBC involvement. They all still are still part of the organization at high levels.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is a duck.
Correction some have vested interests such as a press passes and other things controlled by the Oilers at stake as well.
My feeling as well. Just noticed it ,as it is the first article not generated by the MSM in Edmonton that states they are not involved . So MSM Edmonton and the Hockey News. No one else in the entire hockey world is falling for this BS.
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
― Upton Sinclair,
There must be something not right in the water….
“The Red Wine is tasting a bit stale”….
signed xx Ole Boyz Whiners Club.
The Jim Mora rant.
The OBC are not involved. Just ask MacTavish and Howson; they’ll tell you straight to your face.
+ Philly is on an upswing. They are the Oilers of the East this season, making a run…
With klefbomb back, McDavid fired up, and if koskinen can regain his form, the Oilers will make the playoffs. Thank god the west is shiat this year!
Exactly what is Koskinen form? A guy that has played like 30 NHL games not sure he has a form. He may have been playing way over his head for those 7 games or else I believe he would have been in the NHL before he was 30
They still have a shot. This is a turtle race for the last 2 wild card spots. Its kind of like who can get out of their own way first. The Oil have a lot of teams to jump over and that is the key, teams start playing for those overtime points now.
Let’s go Edmonton! You can do it! Sneak in there! Standing them up to be cannon fodder for the Flames will get the Red Mile nice and warmed up for the playoff run!
Don’t give up Conner..I know the rest of the team had but you CAN do it
Be careful what you wish for, Flamer!
What you think would happen? You already lucked into a 1-0 win head to head. Surely you don’t think you can pull that off 4 times in a 7 game series??!
Everyone knows..score at least 3 and you have a 80% chance of overcoming Conner. Score less and it’s up for grabs. Score 4 and its pretty much in the bag
You guys gonna do something?? Or just stand there and bleed??
?????
Nope – the flamer and national media push for panic on the Oilers behalf is over. We make the playoffs or don’t but we won’t mortgage our future.
You think your team is a cup contender? Go to FN and discuss what moves they need to make you arrogant goof.
Just saying be careful what you wish for. Top seeds have been known to get bounced by lesser teams in the 1st round.
Harder with all the loser points given out also. Meaningful games are rare this time of year. Might at well enjoy them.
Defining moment young men. Coach has been fired, GM has been fired. Who care’s about you next year. All hat, No Cattle.
Playoffs?? LMAO…
laughable, no wonder the leagues comedy central routine still comes from the tundra called Edmonton. Playoffs??? bahahahaha, good luck with that. By Feb 15 you guys will contemplating the theme for the draft parties and renewing your season tickets like good katz sheep.
At first I thought your nickname implied a hockey skill you had back in the day, but after reading your comment I now realize it is for your trolling abilities. Nice dangle.
If LA is going into a rebuild, that Drew Doughty contract is looking real real ugly.
LA will go into a rebuild and come out of it and the Oilers will still be wondering what’s in the water.
Whats a Rebuild? Anyone know?
Did SJ rebuild? Did Tampa Bay rebuild? How bout the 1st place Predators? Oh the Islanders, they are in 1st place too, did they rebuild?
Why do trolls come here only to denegrate Oiler fans? we know our organization has let us down but just like life itself hope is eternal. I wish the Flames, Canucks and all Canadian teams to have success it makes for great playoff hockey. Kicking fans when their team is down is the lowest form of fanaticism, there is enough hate in the world without the hockey world at each others throats. Whatever happened to friendly rivalries must be a millenial thing. Flames are playing great! and the Leafs made a really good trade for Muzzin, there I said it.
As an Oiler fan for decades I can honestly say Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto can all go pack sand.
Now that being said go Jets go.
Interesting note. Every time the Oilers have won a Cup they beat the Jets along the way.
Funny how we used to own the Jets and the Jest owned Calgary in the 80’s
Both the Flames and Jets were wicked teams in the 80’s. They just played in the Smythe division with the Oilers and got spanked every year in the playoffs. Save one year when an Oiler scored arguably one of the biggest goals in Flames history allowing the Flames to beat the Oilers in a playoff series.
The one an only time it has ever happened.
Didn’t the Oilers one time come back from a 3 game deficit to beat the Jets & move on? Or was it a 2 game deficit when the preliminary rounds were best of 5? I think it was around 88?
The Jets spanked Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers and won the Avco Cup.
I actually remember watching that series. Look like the Oilers had the last laugh out of those two teams.
Spyder, you have to admit….those Young Canucks are soo much fun to watch though.
The team is fun to watch. I just cannot cheer for them with their fanbase.
This is because you aren’t a man and buy Into the snowflake theory of not offending anyone. Show some sack man!!!! The lower the opposition gets trampled I to the mud the better..f$%@ Edmonton. [email protected]#$ the Oilers
Ssshhhhhhh adults are talking.
I’m just waiting for that trade that we are all going to be groaning about. I’m sure its coming. Bobby said it wont be something bad but why should we trust these guys any further? The OBC wants to make the playoffs badly, that much is clear. Cant do that without making at least one move. I just hope Keith has more common sense than Chiapete.
The only reason the OBC and Katz want to make the playoffs is money. It is all about season ticket, skyboxes and club seat renewals.
That scares me. They may be willing to sacrifice the future for one round of playoffs.
The Katz curse continues.
Anaheim Ducks are Old? Perhaps you should look at their roster?
KLEFBOM healthy. Maybe. But no big trades. Get a good 1st,2nd round picks. Lay up. Do it right. K. Gretzky I hope is good
I’d like to rename the title of this article to “the oilers suck, but luckily there’s a lot of bad teams in the division this year”
Nicholson has no clue, he’s so arrogant that he thinks something is in the water. Think for a minute, if a construction project failed, or an LRT system did not work and the headlines read, project failed, managers claim somethings in the water is why we failed. FAIL! Incompetence at its finest.
The Oilers have a 10.5% chance of making the playoffs according to Sports Club Stats website. With failing goaltending lately, even with the addition of Klefbom, the Oilers are done for this year. I hate to say it but it’s true. I would love nothing more to be wrong, but time and time again the Oilers have proven to be a club that can’t do it when it matters. We need new management, and not revolving GMs and coaches to blame it on…but new management above them. Everybody over them should be fired who has been here for longer than a year or two. It’s unthinkable that the same people who have been with this organization for over a decade of misery are allowed to continue to mess it up!
Oilers are all in on Koskinen being the next Kiprusoff. With Klefbom back the defence will be stabilized. Contrary to the sentiment out there, this top 4 on defence is fairly good when healthy – 2 good pairings.
Forward group however is an unmitigated disaster. I thought this team was going to make the playoffs at beginning of year, but changed direction when Strome was dealt, that’s when I realized coaching and management were panicking to save their jobs. Nobody scored when that line was on the ice, it was a low event line on a team that needed a low event lines. They have Connor after all – bottom 2 lines just can’t bleed goals. I’m still in disbelief that everybody in the media both those that pretend to be “eye” guys and “analytics” guys supported this deal.
If the Oilers can find a low event centre so they can roll out 4 lines, they still have a shot at playoffs, but they need to be able to play 4 line hockey to make it, otherwise they’ll burn out.
This team needs more high event players. They are already stacked with low event guys. Search for impact players, not more of the same non-scoring junk players.
I love the Oilers but they haven’t got a hope in hell of making the playoffs. Learn to set your expectations very low and maybe, just maybe there may be a little ray of sunshine in our day. Let’s cheer for Connor winning the Art Ross instead…much better odds.