The Edmonton Oilers are second in the Pacific Division, and they have Leon Draisaitl to thank for that. While their 27-13-3 record through 43 games was largely expected, how they got there has been somewhat surprising.

It was hard-nosed blueliner Darnell Nurse who picked up the primary assist. His contribution was being ready to take a Draisaitl pass, and blast a solid attempt on net but have it stopped by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Instead, it was Draisaitl who did all the work to make this four-on-four goal happen.

Draisaitl posted an assist and four shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild. Draisaitl has two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak. The 29-year-old forward set up Zach Hyman's tally in the first period.

Here are the report cards for the first half Oilers in 2024-25.

Zach Hyman scored a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3

The Oilers need another scorer if they're going to return to the Stanley Cup Final.

This in from Bob Stauffer of the Oilers radio network, the lines from today’s Edmonton Oilers practice that show Jeff Skinner has yet again been bumped down the line-up: Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson Hyman-Henrique-Perry Janmark-RNH-Brown J.

The difference in the game was great goaltending from Washington’s Logan Thompson — who was strangely left off of the Team Canada roster — and the fact that the Edmonton power play without McDavid was anemic, with not one Grade A shot in three opportunities.

The Washington Capitals rolled into Edmonton on Tuesday night and showed why they have the best record in the NHL. Though the Oilers more than doubled the visitors in scoring opportunities, the Caps were able to capitalize on their chances,

There are five teams with a real shot to make the post-season in the Pacific Division. As it stands, the Vegas Golden Knights maintain their hold of the Pacific Division thanks to a 29-14-4 record with 62 points but the Edmonton Oilers aren’t far behind with their 29-15-3 record with 61 points.

While the two newest Oilers defenders should take little time to get going, fans shouldn't expect a change overnight. Before they took on the Washington Capitals last night, Tom Gazzola reported that John Klingberg and Alec Regula were practicing on the ice with assistant coach Mark Stuart.

THROUGH GAMES OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2025