It’s that time of year in the NHL when the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders ahead of the playoffs. Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers belong firmly in the former category, given they’re merely three points behind the Anaheim Ducks after their 4-2 win over their Pacific Division rivals on Saturday night.
In what has been, in McDavid’s words, a “weird division” and a “pillow fight,” Edmonton will hope they can pull clear of the Ducks in the two weeks to come, especially given the fact that Anaheim has a game in hand. However, leapfrogging the Ducks in the Pacific Division standings is not quite at the forefront of McDavid’s thoughts in the run-up to the postseason.
Oilers’ Connor McDavid Dismisses Prospect of Chasing Down Anaheim Ducks
The Oilers desperately needed to make a statement with a win against the Ducks, especially given the fact that the margins are ever so slim this time of year. As luck would have it, McDavid himself drew first blood in the second period, putting Edmonton on the board, before delivering two more assists to power the Oilers through in a game where they looked like they would once again buckle at the knees.
While they were 3-0 up at one point, the Oilers allowed the Ducks back into the game before Zach Hyman scored into an empty net off a McDavid pass with 17 seconds remaining to pull off the win.
After the game, McDavid was asked for his thoughts on the Oilers being *this* close to the top of the division.
“We’re just trying to win games, that’s it,” McDavid told Gene Principe.
“Trying to win games and get in and play good hockey. If it happens, it happens. If not, it doesn’t matter. I think we showed last year, starting as the 3-seed, starting on the road most of the playoffs. We’ve done most of our playoff runs starting on the road, so we just gotta get in, and we feel pretty good about our chances.”
All things considered, Edmonton should feel “pretty good” about its chances. Despite losing Leon Draisaitl to an untimely injury, the Oilers have kept themselves afloat. Last night’s win over Anaheim marked just the second time they have racked up three straight wins this season.
By all accounts, Draisaitl is expected to make his return from injury when the playoffs roll around, but so far, there have been no updates on his recovery. Looking at the Oilers’ schedule ahead, they should have enough firepower in their arsenal to hold off the teams below them.
Edmonton will next face the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. They will then head to Utah, San Jose, and Los Angeles, followed by home games against the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks (April 16).
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