Historic Winning Streak for Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are currently on a historic run in the NHL, having secured their fourteenth consecutive victory on Tuesday night. This impressive streak comes after what many considered a lackluster start to the season. With this latest triumph, the Oilers have firmly placed themselves among the elite, as only six teams in the league's storied history have managed longer winning streaks.
However, a long winning streak does not guarantee postseason success. Of the six teams with longer streaks, only one—the 1982 New York Islanders—went on to lift the Stanley Cup. Furthermore, only two of those teams even reached the finals. The 1929-30 Boston Bruins were one of those teams, and they had a comparatively easier path to the final round.
The Islanders' journey to their title was fraught with challenges. During a pivotal Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Islanders found themselves trailing 3-1 entering the third period. Yet, they mounted a comeback and ultimately clinched their third consecutive championship by going 12-2 the rest of the way.
Notable Winning Streaks and Playoff Outcomes
The 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins set an incredible record with a 17-game winning streak, driven by the remarkable Mario Lemieux. After returning from cancer treatment, Lemieux not only led the Penguins' scoring during the streak but also overtook Pat LaFontaine to win the Art Ross Trophy. Despite this, the Penguins' hopes for a dynasty were dashed by the New York Islanders, who defeated them in the playoffs thanks to David Volek's Game 7 overtime goal in the second round.
More recently, the 2013 Pittsburgh Penguins, featuring Sidney Crosby, made it past the second round but were swept by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference final. This outcome serves as a reminder that regular-season achievements do not always translate into playoff success. In fact, two of the teams with extended winning streaks failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.
An example of such disappointment is the Columbus Blue Jackets, who, despite a strong 50-win season in 2016-17 under John Tortorella, did not find playoff success. Similarly, the Washington Capitals, who won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2009-10, were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens, largely due to the heroics of goaltender Jaroslav Halak. That same year, the Canadiens also ousted the Penguins from the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Flyers hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in a single season, going 35 games without a loss in 1979-80. However, they too fell short of ultimate glory, losing to the Islanders in the battle for the Stanley Cup.
Oilers' Recent Performance and Upcoming Challenges
As of the date of the article, the Oilers have emerged victorious in 21 out of their last 24 games, boasting the best points percentage in the NHL since November 24. They lead the league in goals per game and rank second in goals-against over that span. Additionally, their power play stands as the fourth-best, while their penalty kill shares the top spot with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Looking ahead, the Oilers will host the Chicago Blackhawks in their next matchup. Should they continue their winning ways against Chicago, they will then face off against the Nashville Predators. Fans and analysts alike are eyeing a potential record-tying game against the Vegas Golden Knights, which would take place after the All-Star Game break.
In conclusion, the Edmonton Oilers' current winning streak has certainly etched their name into the annals of NHL history. Yet, as past teams have shown, regular-season dominance is no guarantee of postseason success. The Oilers will aim to avoid the pitfalls that befell previous streaking teams and convert their exceptional form into a deep playoff run—and possibly a championship victory.
As one quote from the source material aptly puts it, "It's special stuff when only six teams in the history of the league have put together a longer winning streak than the one they're on." The Oilers will hope that their special run extends beyond the regular season and leads to the ultimate prize in hockey—the Stanley Cup.