So.. Edmonton has to be the favorites coming out of the west, right?

[Kamiccolo]

Blues aside who get that title due to being the recent champs I guess, but Edmonton looks legit now, and I think there are a few factors.

- Weak pacific division means in theory, they should have one of the easiest 1st and maybe 2nd rounds out of the entire league aside from whoever facing the 3rd spot in the Atlantic.

- Draisatl has come alive and is legit. Yammo has fit like a glove with him, and they have two legit superstars better than any two currently playing (yes better than Sido and Geno in their current form).

- McDavid is back and healthy and finally has wingers. This is the first time the Oilers have a legit top 6 in a decade.

- 1st PP in the league and 2nd best PK. In general, being top 5 in both is an indicator of playoff success.

- Then you look at what Draisatl produces the last time they made the playoffs, and realize McDavid is in his prime now.

I'm not sure there is a team out west that can stop the Oilers. Have to imagine that they should be a lock for at least the WCF, and if they do not make the finals, it will be in a hard fought series deep in the playoffs.

I personally, don't think there is a better team out west and they are likely one of the favorites if they played in the east. Maybe they are only stopped by a more experienced team from the east if they make the finals like Tampa or the Pens.

Click to read more...

 

[coopooter]

We still have a lot of roster holes such as 3C. Definitely not favorites

 

[InfinityIggy]

I liked what they did on deadline day. If their additions can contribute right away, they've got as good a shot as anyone in the west.

With that said, I think the west will be a total scramble and whichever team(s) happen to be hot at that time will come out on top, I think any team that makes the playoffs can realistically take the west.

 

[WillTheThrill]

No.

 

[ohheyhemsky]

St. Louis, Dallas, Vancouver, Vegas and Colorado all have legitimate chances. The West is really close this year.

 

[TheGoldenGod]

I would love to play Edmonton in a 7 game series

 

[fancy dan]

easy stallion. oilers have lots of warts. vegas looks to be the team to beat to me.

 

[I am toxic]

Blues aside who get that title due to being the recent champs I guess, but Edmonton looks legit now, and I think there are a few factors.

- Weak pacific division means in theory, they should have one of the easiest 1st and maybe 2nd rounds out of the entire league aside from whoever facing the 3rd spot in the Atlantic.

- Draisatl has come alive and is legit. Yammo has fit like a glove with him, and they have two legit superstars better than any two currently playing (yes better than Sido and Geno in their current form).

- McDavid is back and healthy and finally has wingers. This is the first time the Oilers have a legit top 6 in a decade.

- 1st PP in the league and 2nd best PK. In general, being top 5 in both is an indicator of playoff success.

- Then you look at what Draisatl produces the last time they made the playoffs, and realize McDavid is in his prime now.

I'm not sure there is a team out west that can stop the Oilers. Have to imagine that they should be a lock for at least the WCF, and if they do not make the finals, it will be in a hard fought series deep in the playoffs.

I personally, don't think there is a better team out west and they are likely one of the favorites if they played in the east. Maybe they are only stopped by a more experienced team from the east if they make the finals like Tampa or the Pens.

You need to watch Vegas play

 

[lauraP]

Vegas and StL

 

[Chiarelli]

....if they make the playoffs, maybe?

 

[KlefDown]

Yes and no

Vegas, St. Louis and Dallas are better teams but non have the game breaking talent of McDavid or Drai

that being said, our goaltending is also game breaking talent. It is very inconsistent and clearly the worst by a loooooong mile

 

[dcv2002]

They could probably play something like:

Rd 1: NSH
Rd 2: Winner VGK /VAN
Rd 3: Winner COL/MIN/DAL/STL (Throw in WPG/CGY/ARZ) as well.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

Hahah no, no.

 

[Kamiccolo]

easy stallion. oilers have lots of warts. vegas looks to be the team to beat to me.

You need to watch Vegas play

Vegas and StL

With the way Fleury has played this season, I am not convinced he can shut out the duo of McDavid and Drai tbh.

 

[bigdog16]

Blues aside who get that title due to being the recent champs I guess, but Edmonton looks legit now, and I think there are a few factors.

- Weak pacific division means in theory, they should have one of the easiest 1st and maybe 2nd rounds out of the entire league aside from whoever facing the 3rd spot in the Atlantic.

- Draisatl has come alive and is legit. Yammo has fit like a glove with him, and they have two legit superstars better than any two currently playing (yes better than Sido and Geno in their current form).

- McDavid is back and healthy and finally has wingers. This is the first time the Oilers have a legit top 6 in a decade.

- 1st PP in the league and 2nd best PK. In general, being top 5 in both is an indicator of playoff success.

- Then you look at what Draisatl produces the last time they made the playoffs, and realize McDavid is in his prime now.

I'm not sure there is a team out west that can stop the Oilers. Have to imagine that they should be a lock for at least the WCF, and if they do not make the finals, it will be in a hard fought series deep in the playoffs.

I personally, don't think there is a better team out west and they are likely one of the favorites if they played in the east. Maybe they are only stopped by a more experienced team from the east if they make the finals like Tampa or the Pens.

There is no such thing as a lock in the NHL playoffs. As far as your last statement I easily take Boston, Tampa, Pitt and Washington over Edmonton in a 7 game series. The east is way stronger than the west

 

[LuckyBoeser]

They aren't even the favourites to come out of the Pacific division. Vegas >

Also in general I think Colorado and St. Louis are better teams.

 

[Love]

They should’ve traded for Lehner

 

[LuckyBoeser]

With the way Fleury has played this season, I am not convinced he can shut out the duo of McDavid and Drai tbh.

Good thing Vegas traded for Lehner then

 

[McOvechking]

I don't trust our goaltending or defense to go far in the playoffs. But it's certainly a fun time to be an Oilers fan!

 

[Stealth JD]

They've got a punchers chance, but defense wins in the playoffs...and they're...not great.
I wouldn't put too much stock in their special teams during the playoffs either. Better be dominant at 5-on-5 or you're going to lose.

 

[Kranix]

Probably have the easiest path to round 3 of any team in the playoffs.

 

[JianYang]

The pacific is wide open. I don't see a clear cut favourite, and it's definitely not as clear cut as I expected coming into the season.

 

[AvsFan29]

They haven’t even played a game together

 

[Muffin]

Still behind the 3 Central teams. Also I'd like to see AA play first, he plays like a poor man's Taylor Hall that just likes to skate the puck down the wing, stylistically I'm not sure he's a fit on McDavid's wing.

 

[Hynh]

Only if Carolina is the favorite coming out of the East.

 

[1specter]

Can't see them getting past St.Louis or a healthy Colorado. Dallas as well when healthy are a hard team to play against and have a solid defense.

Vegas I think could also give them fits.