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Edmonton Oilers: Hot start will not define the season

By Matt McGinnis

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 09: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his third period gaol with teammates while playing the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on November 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 09: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his third period gaol with teammates while playing the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on November 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to a near perfect start this season, but that start will not be what defines the 2021-22 season for Connor McDavid and company.

The Oilers should be more than happy with the way the first month of the season has played out, as McDavid’s club is 10-2 through 12 games. The captain has racked up 23 points thus far in 2021, while teammate Leon Draisaitl is leading the NHL with 26 points. It’s the same formula for success that we have seen in the past, and it is delivering results once again in the regular season.

The key here, however, is regular season. While everything is going right for the Oilers in the early weeks of the campaign, the reality is that they will be judged by what happens after these 82 regular season games are in the books. We know that Edmonton is a capable team in the regular season, as they have elite talent that few other teams possess. The question is whether or not this club can win once the playoffs arrive.

It seems harsh to say that this tremendous start doesn’t really mean anything, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t. We are past the point where scoring titles and simply making the playoffs is enough. McDavid, Draisaitl, and the rest of the team in Edmonton deserve immense credit for the way they’ve played so far, but the expectations for the Oilers can’t truly be fulfilled until the playoffs arrive.

That’s where we have to be careful to not get too caught up in this appealing start to the year. It feels to me that the talent at the top of this Edmonton lineup lulls us into thinking that eventually they will just break through and figure out how to win in the playoffs. As a result, we see inspiring results now, and we correlate it to imminent postseason victories in a few months. That can’t be the case.

I think most people would agree that the sky is the limit for the Oilers in the regular season, but I have grown to not trust them. Personally, that stems largely from an uninspiring campaign in the dismal North Division a season ago. Edmonton was unable to separate itself from its rivals while playing in the worst division in hockey, so why would it suddenly establish itself as an elite team in a more competitive conference? The Oilers at least enjoy the benefits of playing in a subpar Pacific division this year, which has accounted for seven of their first ten wins.

Even if that continues, will anyone care about this start if the regular season success isn’t accompanied by postseason success? I certainly won’t, so no accomplishment at this stage of the season carries any weight. Similarly, a less successful regular season doesn’t change my opinion either (assuming that the playoffs aren’t missed entirely). No strides can be taken until the playoffs, so why overreact to the regular season?

That’s not to say that Edmonton can’t improve in the regular season. A Presidents’ Trophy, for example, would be an admirable accolade. However, this is the seventh season for the McDavid/Draisaitl duo, and a regular season title won’t be satisfactory.

Whether or not the Oilers have a successful 2021-22 season will be based solely on postseason play and their ability to win when it matters for the first time with their current superstars. If they can’t make that happen, this hot start will be forgotten, and this season will be another disappointment in Alberta.

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