The Edmonton Oilers have officially secured their berth in the 2026 NHL playoffs, but the real work is just beginning. With the post-season less than a week away and only two regular-season games remaining, several critical uncertainties could determine whether this team lifts Lord Stanley or exits early.
As the Oilers prepare for another playoff run, four major questions will define their championship hopes.
Can Edmonton's Depth Forwards Step Up When It Matters?
The Oilers' bottom six has been a persistent weakness all season. Earlier in January, the team's goal differential at five-on-five without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was a troubling 30 percent—nearly 10 percent worse than Edmonton's worst season under former management.
While there has been improvement since the Olympic break, with players like Max Jones and Josh Samanski showing promise, the larger body of work cannot be ignored. When Draisaitl returns to the lineup, the hope is that healthier lineups will push that differential closer to the 50 percent mark.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch faces a significant challenge here. Multiple depth forwards have seen declines in performance under his watch, and past playoff success, while noteworthy, cannot overshadow mediocre regular-season depth production. A strong supporting cast could be the difference between hoisting the Cup and an early exit.
Will the Nurse-Murphy Pairing Overcome Historical Struggles?
Over the past two playoffs, Darnell Nurse's pairing has been a glaring weakness. While Edmonton's top pair has dominated with over 60 percent goal share, Nurse's pairing has hovered around 40 percent—a differential that may have cost McDavid a couple of Stanley Cup rings.
Since the trade deadline, Connor Murphy has primarily paired with Nurse. The results are mixed. The pairing excels at suppressing shots, allowing just 1.4 goals against per hour. However, they struggle offensively and in possession, spending far too much time in their own end.
Whether this pairing can approach net-even goal differential in the playoffs remains uncertain. If early playoff struggles emerge, the coaching staff should be prepared to pivot and elevate Jake Walman into a second-pair role with Murphy.
Is Connor Ingram Ready to Be a Playoff Starter?
Coach Knoblauch has named Connor Ingram the playoff starter, moving past the inconsistency of Tristan Jarry. Ingram sits at a respectable +1.7 goals saved above expected for the season—hardly spectacular, but a welcome change from Jarry's -5.3 mark.
The good news: if McDavid and Draisaitl perform at their elite level, the Oilers may only need league-average goaltending to win it all. The question is whether Ingram can deliver that performance when the stakes are highest.
Where Will a Returning Draisaitl Play?
Draisaitl's health and lineup placement could determine Edmonton's ceiling. Historically, when either superstar is less than fully healthy, the coaching staff has paired them together on the top line. However, this approach made the team overly top-heavy in past seasons.
The Oilers have performed well in Draisaitl's absence, suggesting they could operate with both superstars centring separate lines. However, this strategy depends heavily on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' ability to drive the second line—and his numbers without McDavid and Draisaitl suggest that's not yet a strength.
For Edmonton's best chance at the Cup, Draisaitl likely needs to centre his own elite line at full health. The key question: will he be ready?
The Oilers face a critical juncture with playoff hockey just days away. Success will require depth production, defensive stability, goaltending reliability, and full health from their star players.
Source: This article is based on analysis from OilersNation, a leading Edmonton Oilers community.