Oilers could be facing biggest rival in first round playoffs after taking first place in division
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in first place of the Pacific division after beating the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 and could face their biggest rivals the Calgary Flames in the playoffs.
Based on points %, if the playoffs started today the Oilers would play the Flames
The Oilers have seen a rollercoaster of a season as it followed a similar path to last season where they had a slow start, and serious questions began to surface. The team, however, has regrouped and put together a great run to put themselves past the Vegas Golden Knights to hold the lead on the Pacific division.
Oilers may face provincial rivals in playoffs if trend holds
The current playoff trajectory in the Western Conference is showing the Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames holding the final two wild card spots.
Calgary has had an incredible season considering how dire things have been with the sell off many players within the organization. The Avalanche also has changed the makeup of their team in the recent monster trade of star Mikko Rantanen.
The Edmonton Oilers somehow beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Saturday afternoon to launch themselves past Vegas and into first place in the Pacific.
The possibility of the flames meeting the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs would be incredible for the fan base as the rivalry is one of the deepest in the NHL and would certainly be a treat for many fans to watch.
Long Road ahead with many games left to play for Oilers
The Oilers understand that there is significant games left play as the third of the season remains with several teams behind them trying to catch up and the benefits to winning the Pacific Division.
«I know it was a goal of ours to win our division,» said head coach Kris Knoblauch. «Just rewinding back to last year's playoffs, what a difficult road we had. We started at home, but the next three series we were on the road.
«This is the possibility of making that road a little easier on us, whether it's shortening a series or having home ice in a Game 7 situation. We were fortunate enough to win one Game 7 on the road, but we didn't win the other one. It just helps you along the way to finish at the top.»- Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch
«This is the possibility of making that road a little easier on us, whether it's shortening a series or having home ice in a Game 7 situation. We were fortunate enough to win one Game 7 on the road, but we didn't win the other one. It just helps you along the way to finish at the top.»- Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch
The Oilers wake up in sole possession of first place in the Pacific for the first time since Feb, 25, 2020.
With the March trade deadline approaching and the Four Nations face off in February, it will be a jam-packed time for Oilers fans and hockey fans around the NHL as the schedule remains compressed and the standings could change quickly within just a few games.
It would certainly be fun to watch the Oilers and Flames go at it in round one this year.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 26 | 357 ANSWERS Oilers could be facing biggest rival in first round playoffs after taking first place in division Would you love or hate a first round matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames? | ||
| Love it | 289 | 81 % |
| Hate It | 68 | 19 % |
| List of polls | ||
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