The 2025-26 NHL season has so far been average for the Edmonton Oilers. They have not been consistent despite Connor McDavid agreeing to a $12.5 million deal to support the team. They hold a 4-4-2 record after ten games and have lost to Vancouver and Seattle.
This season, the Oilers are struggling in both zones in addition to their goaltending. They are allowing 3.10 goals per game while scoring 2.90 on average, and this is not a good balance for their Stanley Cup plans. To play teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils, they must get better in every aspect.
The Oilers rank fourth in the league with a strong 31% power play. Their penalty kill rate of 80.8% needs to be higher. Although McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are still at the forefront of the offensive push, they have failed to secure close wins.
Why Are the Edmonton Oilers Struggling This Season?
On October 21, Data Driven Hockey ranked the Oilers 27th in the NHL for PDO. The stat adds a team’s save percentage and shooting percentage at even strength. A score of 100 is average, while numbers below 98 suggest bad luck or poor performance. The Oilers’ PDO of 96.4 shows both shooters and goalies are struggling. It also matches their early-season inconsistency on the ice.
Teams like Winnipeg (108.8), Chicago (105.0), and Colorado (104.3) rank among the best in PDO. Those teams have benefited from strong finishing and solid goaltending. The Oilers, meanwhile, have had below-average results in both areas.
Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have struggled to provide steady goaltending. The team’s shooters have also missed key scoring chances, especially their captain, McDavid, who has scored just one goal out of 28 shots this season.
The Oilers’ Struggle on Even Strength
This season, the Oilers are finding it difficult to maintain control of play at even strength. With an xGF% (Expected Goals For Percentage) of 49.1%, DDH ranks them 19th in the NHL. This indicates that their opponents are outscoring them at five on five. A score below 50% indicates that a team spends more time defending than attacking. The statistic evaluates puck possession and scoring chance quality.
Top teams like Colorado (62.4%), Carolina (61.5%), and Washington (60.1%) lead in this category. Those teams control the puck and create more scoring chances. The Oilers have not shown the same consistency. Even with McDavid and Draisaitl, they are not generating enough chances.
According to the DDH, strong teams create about 55-60% of expected goals. So, the Oilers must raise their number to compete with the top teams. This is also a concern for the management, because they need to fix these issues before they fall behind in the playoff contention race.
