Oilers were overwhelmingly #1 cup favorites going into the season. Are they still #1 today?

[bobholly39]

It was pretty clear in the off-season that the Oilers were seen as the cup favorites. This was true among experts and media, but also amongst fans. It certainly was never unanimous, but more people considered them #1 favorites above any other team.

Then, the season started.

- Oilers were off to a horrible start. As bad as last season, although it didn't last as long
- McDavid got injured, like last year. And prognostic was he'd be out for a good while, though he ended up returning faster
- Other teams in the meantime had great starts. Jets had an insane record for a while. Vegas, champions from a year prior, as well. Even Florida current champs were doing great

But as the 2024 calendar year is ending in a few days, things seem to be rolling for Oilers again.

- They are safely in a divisional playoff spot, within striking distance of division and conference lead
- They are 8-2 in their last 10 games
- McDavid has been terrific since his return. He's not #1 in points today, but certainly within striking distance for another Ross
- Draisailt has been at least as good. Leads league for goals, and close for points too

I could go on - but suffice it to say it's been a bit of a roller coaster for Oilers in the last 3 months. So the question is - are they as of today the #1 cup favorite in your opinion? If you vote no - respond in the comments who you'd have #1.

Click to read more...

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

They're still one of the top favorites but I'm not totally convinced they can win with Skinner in goal. They had a lot go right last year and still ended up short.

That said imo the top 4 contenders are Florida and NJ from the east, Edmonton and Vegas from the west.

Winnipeg and Carolina seem like they're perennial pretenders with no killer instinct despite being very solid teams.

LA and Washington aren't as good as their records.

Tampa and Colorado are both dangerous, but both rosters are lacking defensive depth.

Two wildcards (not literally) are Minnesota and Dallas. Not totally sure what to make of them. They could flop or go on a deep run, neither would surprise me.

 

[OilerTitanFan]

Hard to argue against it now. The way they win games is unbelievable. When they were down vs Boston and San Jose with a few minutes left, you can tell that the oilers were going to find a way to score and win it.

Florida seems to be posing a problem for the oilers but I can't really see Florida getting through all the way again. There are a few teams that will give Florida problems in the playoffs this time around

 

[TheLegend27]

Their goaltending is the only thing holding them back from the #1 favorite lmo. I expected Skinner to improve this year and contract year Bouchard to put up a career season. Ouch. Hope those two turn it around.

 

[heretik27]

I still think Vegas is the team to beat out in the Pacific. If Edmonton gets by them, they have as good of a shot as any team to go to the cup finals.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Top 3 seems fair.

 

[ijuka]

For the past month, Oilers lead the league with 11 wins in 13 games. Hyman seems to have remembered how to score goals, and Skinner isn't getting absolutely torched.

If they can maintain this form, I'd say that it's reasonable to consider them to be the cup favorites.

 

[Laus723]

Not with Skinner in goal and their current D. Things overall will be more clear after the deadline…but anything can happen in the playoffs.

 

[JarvisFunk]

Not with Skinner in goal and their current D. Things overall will be more clear after the deadline…but anything can happen in the playoffs.

Their D is actually quite good, only can be questioned because of the guy backing them up.

 

[FlameChampion]

Not sure if new to the Oilers but this is basically their script the last few seasons. They start slow and then get fully rolling after the new year. I expect the same this year.

As a fan, still not super confident with them. Too inconsistent for my liking personally. Some of that has been Skinner. I still don’t know what to make of their forward group. But they play a pretty solid team defense.

I don’t see many threats around the league as an Oilers fan. Vegas, Florida stand out.

 

[Laus723]

Their D is actually quite good, only can be questioned because of the guy backing them up.

I don’t think so, not for a deep run again, but that’s where the deadline comes in. Think we need help back there as well.

 

[snipes]

Top 3 seems fair. Skinner has been playing well lately but he can be pretty damn inconsistent. The team is playing really well. They are not a run and gun team like they used to be, they play a pretty structured and disciplined game.

Also the Oilers are having more success with sustained zone time instead of just relying rush offence or the PP like they used to 3-4 years ago. They are a grizzled and experienced team. Strong analytics and possession numbers along with their playing style all bode well come playoff time. Could be a bit more physical but I expect that to ramp up during the playoffs.

Having said that it’s tough with the salary cap, but every team is in the same boat. Every top team has some holes in it due to the salary cap constraints.

The playoffs are such a grind as well, lots needs to go right for any team.

The Oilers could add a bit more size and physicality with some speed in the bottom 6 and a top 4 D man at the deadline should be high priority along with getting Kane back before the playoffs.

All in all I like their chances as much as anyone. This year seems pretty wide open for the taking for them but the same could be said for a couple of other teams as well like Florida, Vegas, etc.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

I don't think there is a single team in the league that is head and shoulders above the rest to be considered the #1 favourite.

But I do think the Oilers are in the top three. And if anyone wants to argue there are three other teams above them, then they would not be too far outside of that.

 

[vippe]

I think there's a good chunk of teams with a good to decent chance to go all the way, Oilers among them - however I never saw the Oilers as the overwhelmingly big favorite to win it all.

If Florida comes out on top in the east, Oilers wont beat them.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I think the Oilers are definitely a top Cup contender especially if they are able to make any adds at the deadline. Their defensive play overall as a team has been really good this season and their overall style of play is right where it was that got them to game 7 last season. They are going to be one of the toughest teams to beat in a 7 game series. I don't like the idea that a team is the number 1 Cup contender, but I think they are one of the top 3 teams definitely.

 

[PuckG]

Top 3 (which seems like the consensus) is probably a fair assessment.

The parity of the league makes it that any team that gets hot at the right time has the chance to knock out any contender though, so more consistency from goaltending, continued contributions from depth will make a substantial difference.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I don’t think so, not for a deep run again, but that’s where the deadline comes in. Think we need help back there as well.

They're not great at defending but it doesn't matter that much since they usually own the puck

 

[Cats2TheCup]

For the past month, Oilers lead the league with 11 wins in 13 games. Hyman seems to have remembered how to score goals, and Skinner isn't getting absolutely torched.

If they can maintain this form, I'd say that it's reasonable to consider them to be the cup favorites.

Panthers beat them though

 

[VeteranPresence]

We need another top four defender and a goalie who can hopefully push S. Skinner into a backup role by the time the playoffs arrive. Bonus points for an experienced 4C who can skate and win draws:

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Skinner-Henrique-Kapanen
Janmark-xxxxx-Brown
Perry, Ryan

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-xxxxx
Kulak-Emberson
Stecher

xxxxx
Skinner

I would feel very good about that roster with some combo of Pettersson/Provorov/Murphy/Jensen and a goalie who is top 30 in most categories as opposed to top 75, and that's even without Kane who probably slots in for one of J. Skinner or Kapanen as he gets up to game speed late in the year.

 

[Laus723]

They're not great at defending but it doesn't matter that much since they usually own the puck

Except when it does matter, high octane offenses don’t always do well in the post-season.

 

[HabzSauce]

We need another top four defender and a goalie who can hopefully push S. Skinner into a backup role by the time the playoffs arrive. Bonus points for an experienced 4C who can skate and win draws:

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Skinner-Henrique-Kapanen
Janmark-xxxxx-Brown
Perry, Ryan

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-xxxxx
Kulak-Emberson
Stecher

xxxxx
Skinner

I would feel very good about that roster with some combo of Pettersson/Provorov/Murphy/Jensen and a goalie who is top 30 in most categories as opposed to top 75, and that's even without Kane who probably slots in for one of J. Skinner or Kapanen as he gets up to game speed late in the year.

Jake Evans would look great with Oilers. He'd be #3C and Henrique could move down to #4.