Kris Knoblauch admitted to being a little surprised at how soon the Edmonton Oilers could clinch a berth into the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, considering where they were when he became their coach.
Edmonton fell into a tie for last in the overall standings before firing coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant Dave Manson and hiring Knoblauch and Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey as assistants on Nov. 12.
Oilers secure spot despite midseason challenges
With an impressive 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday at Rogers Place, the Oilers have booked their place in the playoffs despite still having seven games left.
Knoblauch discussed how the team talked about reaching the playoffs after games. This came up following their stunning 5-0 victory against the Capitals in Washington on Nov. 24. They devised a game plan, understanding that keeping a 5-3 win-loss record in every eight games would increase their odds of securing a playoff spot.
When Knoblauch took over as coach, the Oilers had a disappointing 3-9-1 record. However, they dramatically improved to 43-15-4 under his leadership. This fantastic turnaround made the Oilers the 20th team in NHL history, and the 12th in the last 30 years, to make it to the playoffs despite being 10 points behind the final spot.
Specifically, on Nov. 23, the Oilers were trailing the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken by 10 points for a wild-card entry from the Western Conference.
Given its quick turnaround, the team's journey to this spot might seem surprising. However, its hard-won accomplishments, including streaks of 16 and 8-game victories, rapidly lifted it to its current position.
Coach Knoblauch emphasized that this achievement came from hard work, not luck. The team can take great pride in what they've achieved so far.
The Oilers enjoyed an impressive winning spree, streaking 16 continuous wins from Dec. 22 to Jan. 27. They were just shy of matching the longest winning run in NHL history, set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the '92-'93 season. This came on the heels of a previous triumphant eight-game winning stretch from Nov. 24 to Dec. 12, only interrupted by a short three-game losing stint.
Oilers forward Evander Kane reflects on the season's rough start in late November, asserting that the team always had faith in their ability to turn things around. They managed to do just that, going on a remarkable run that secured their playoff berth, a testament to their resilience and determination.
As the team looks ahead, they focus on winning more games to maintain home advantage and possibly ascend further in the standings.
The Oilers, who stand second in the Pacific Division, have secured a playoff spot for the fifth year. They currently lead the Vegas Golden Knights by five points, even as they trail the Vancouver Canucks by the same margin.
Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl expressed his belief in the team's ability to rebound from a rocky start. He emphasized the team's resilience and character. He acknowledged that securing a playoff berth is crucial, but it remains only the first step towards the ultimate goal—the Stanley Cup.
With three seasons of playoffs under their belt, the Oilers are ready for a solid run this year. Should the playoffs kick off this Saturday, the initial match-up would be against Vegas. They could potentially face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round again, for the third time.
The Oilers are playing their final game of the season against the Calgary Flames this Saturday. After that, they'll be coming back home to compete with teams like the Golden Knights, Canucks, and others. The season then wraps up with games in Arizona and Colorado.