We consider five factors which have contributed to the Edmonton Oilers’ encouraging but surprising 7-1-0 start to the 2019-20 season.
Hockey fans around North America will be rubbing their eyes and shaking their heads in disbelief, after viewing the NHL standings on Saturday morning. Sat right there at the top of the perch with 14 points, are no other than the Edmonton Oilers.
That would be the same Oilers team which has only made the playoffs once in the previous 13 seasons. However, things seem to be changing for the better in Edmonton.
The latest example of this came on Friday night when the Oilers ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. In fairness to the team, the game arguably wasn’t as close as the scoreline suggests, as they actually hit the iron four times.
Regardless, the Oilers improved their record to 7-1-0 in eight games, with fans around Canada and the United States wondering how they’ve managed to achieve this. Let’s look at that right now, with five factors that have contributed to the fast start in Edmonton.
1. Comeback Kids
There are plenty of hockey media analysts who remain unconvinced by the Oilers’ excellent start to the season, with some pointing to the first five games as evidence. More specifically, the fact the team had to overcome a deficit on each occasion to win.
However, we would argue that this actually proves Edmonton is a good team. Surely it’s a sign of mental fortitude hard work and togetherness when a team can repeatedly overcome adversity to succeed?
Perhaps the best example of this never-say-die attitude came in the second game of the season, at home to the Los Angeles Kings. Consider that the Oilers came from behind four times during the course of the 60 minutes, to secure a dramatic 6-5 win.
No doubt critics will point to the Kings being an average team, but to repeatedly recover from deficits throughout a game is a good sign. And in this respect, Edmonton’s ability to continually come back after falling behind in contests should stand them in good stead during the coming months.