Playoff Picture: Everything is still to play for the Oilers to win the Pacific Division

In October, the Edmonton Oilers found themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings. Fast forward to today, they are a mere two victories away from overtaking the Vancouver Canucks for the top spot in the Pacific Division. With six games remaining, including a pivotal match against the Canucks, the division title is tantalizingly within reach.

The narrative around Edmonton last week was that they don’t beat good teams after the boys lost 5-0 to the Dallas Stars on the road. That crowd was quickly silenced on Friday night following a 6-2 win versus the Colorado Avalanche. The upcoming week is crucial for Edmonton, with significant matches against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Vancouver Canucks on the horizon. The outcomes of these games could tighten the race for the Pacific Division crown.

First up, the Vegas Golden Knights come to Edmonton on Wednesday for a possible first-round preview. The last time those two rivals met, the Golden Knights snapped the Oilers’ 16-game win streak back in January. Of course, that game is massive for both teams, but the bigger game comes later in the week for the Copper and Blue.

On Saturday night, the Vancouver Canucks visit Rogers Place for what could be the deciding game for the Pacific Division title. Vancouver has taken complete control over Edmonton in their previous three matchups this season, but those all came earlier. The two teams last met on November 6th when Vancouver won 6-2. Since that game, the Oilers have been the number one team in the NHL with a record of 45-16-4, with the New York Rangers sitting behind them with a 45-19-3 record. Vancouver are down in 10th with 38 wins and 83 points.

Elsewhere in the division, the Los Angeles Kings have moved ahead of the Golden Knights into third place, following a 6-3 victory over the Canucks, with Adrien Kempe scoring twice and Cam Talbot saving 39 of 42 shots. With their “toughest” game behind them, LA’s remaining schedule looks favorable, featuring matches against non-playoff teams, including two against the Anaheim Ducks, and one each against the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames. The only away game in this stretch is against the Ducks on Tuesday night.

The Pacific Division is set for a thrilling week, with the potential for a dramatic shift in standings. All eyes should be on the division as it could look very different by this time next week, and it all starts tonight when the Vegas Golden Knights ride into Rogers Arena to take on the Vancouver Canucks.

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