As the 4 Nations Face-Off concludes, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves at the top of the Pacific Division with 72 points.
While the Vegas Golden Knights share the same point total, the Oilers hold the tiebreaker due to fewer games played. However, with fewer regulation wins, a critical secondary tiebreaker, the Oilers’ position isn’t bulletproof.
Regardless, they’re likely to finish either first or second in the division, setting the stage for a potential showdown with a Wild Card team, likely from the Central Division. Here, we rank the Oilers’ most likely Wild Card opponents, from least to most intimidating.

8. St. Louis Blues: No Threat in Sight

Among all potential matchups, the Blues pose the smallest threat. With eight fewer points than the Vancouver Canucks (current holders of the final Wild Card spot), their playoff hopes are practically non-existent.
Even if the Blues miraculously sneak into the postseason, they lack the offensive firepower to challenge the Oilers. Jordan Binnington’s past playoff heroics feel like a distant memory, and the team’s contending window has firmly closed. In short, Oilers fans can sleep easy if the Blues somehow make it to the dance.

7. Utah Hockey Club: A Long Shot at Best

The Utah Hockey Club’s 24-23-9 record barely keeps them in the playoff conversation. Sitting six points out of a Wild Card spot, they’re a young team with limited playoff experience and glaring offensive deficiencies.
What’s more, they might offload key assets at the trade deadline, potentially even to the Oilers. If they defy the odds and make it in, Edmonton has little reason to sweat.

6. Calgary Flames: A Rival with Upset Potential

Despite an underwhelming roster, the Flames are within three points of the Canucks for the final Wild Card spot. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has kept Calgary’s playoff dreams alive with a respectable .912 save percentage and a 19-11-3 record.
That said, their offensive struggles are glaring: the Flames have scored just 148 goals, the third-fewest in the league. Combined with a depleted defensive corps, Calgary doesn’t look like a serious threat.
Still, this is a rivalry matchup with upset potential.
The Oilers handled the Flames decisively in 2022, but playoff hockey is unpredictable, and emotions could swing the series.

5. Los Angeles Kings: Familiar Foes, Same Outcome?

A first-round battle between the Oilers and Kings feels almost inevitable. Edmonton has taken three consecutive playoff series against L.A., including a five-game victory last year. Could this be the year the Kings finally turn the tide?
While Darcy Kuemper has been excellent in net (.919 save percentage, 2.15 GAA), the Kings’ scoring woes persist. With just 151 goals, the sixth-fewest in the league, L.A. relies on a defence-first approach that hasn’t worked against the Oilers in recent years.
Unless something drastically changes, the Kings still look like a favourable matchup for Edmonton.

4. Minnesota Wild: A Perennial First-Round Exit

The Wild’s playoff hopes remain intact despite cooling off with a 7-8-0 record in their last 15 games. Superstar Kirill Kaprizov leads the charge with 23 goals and 52 points in just 37 games, but injuries have limited his impact this season.
Goaltending has been solid with Filip Gustavsson posting a .915 save percentage, but the Wild’s postseason track record is abysmal. They haven’t advanced past the first round since 2015.
While they possess a strong mix of youth and experience, their inability to deliver in the playoffs makes them a manageable opponent for the Oilers.

3. Vancouver Canucks: An Interesting Rematch

The Canucks are clinging to the final Wild Card spot with a 26-18-11 record, but that doesn’t make them an easy out. Despite their messy season with injuries, trades, and goaltending struggles, they’ve proven they can up their game and challenge Edmonton when the time comes.
Last year’s postseason series was a nail-biter, with Stuart Skinner’s shaky performances in the first three games nearly derailing the Oilers. While Skinner rebounded, Vancouver showcased their ability to exploit weaknesses.
Even with Thatcher Demko’s health issues and a depleted roster, the Canucks remain a dangerous team capable of pulling off an upset if everything clicks.

2. Dallas Stars: A Deep, Dangerous Squad

The Stars sit second in the Central Division with 72 points and are eyeing another deep playoff run. Edmonton defeated Dallas in six games during last year’s playoffs, but that was a battered Stars squad that had already gone through a gruelling series against Vegas and Colorado.
This time, Dallas looks poised to reload at the trade deadline, already adding Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci. While injuries to Miro Heiskanen and Tyler Seguin are concerning, the Stars have the depth to remain a formidable opponent.
If these two teams meet again, expect a hard-fought series.

1. Colorado Avalanche: The Ultimate Test

Do we even need to explain this one?
The Avalanche swept the Oilers in the 2022 playoffs en route to a Stanley Cup victory, and they remain Edmonton’s biggest obstacle. Nathan MacKinnon leads the league with 87 points, while Cale Makar continues to dominate as the NHL’s best defenseman.
The Avs shook up their goaltending mid-season, acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood, who’s been stellar with a .922 save percentage and a 2.13 GAA in 22 games. However, even Blackwood has shown cracks against the Oilers, allowing three or more goals in two outings this season.
While the Avalanche are beatable, they’re the one team Edmonton should hope to avoid. Unfortunately, if the playoffs started today, this would be the Oilers’ first-round matchup.
The Oilers are in a strong position heading into the postseason, but their journey won’t be easy. From familiar rivals to powerhouse contenders, each potential Wild Card opponent presents unique challenges. But as history has shown, in the playoffs, it’s anyone’s game.
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