The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a precarious position with just four days remaining in the NHL regular season. Despite significant injury concerns, the club still has a legitimate shot at winning the Pacific Division—or could fall as far as the second wild card spot, setting up a first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.
The standings are remarkably tight. The Oilers sit at 90 points with two games remaining, tied with the Anaheim Ducks. The Los Angeles Kings, sitting at 87 points with three games to play, are lurking dangerously close. If Los Angeles wins out against Seattle, Calgary, and Vancouver, Edmonton would need to capture three points against Colorado and Vancouver just to stay ahead.
The Injury Report Deepens
The situation is complicated by an injury crisis that continues to worsen. Max Jones joined Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Jason Dickinson on the sidelines on Saturday. Hyman is closest to a return and is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the playoffs, while Draisaitl remains on an uncertain timeline despite skating in practice.
"There are steps I have to follow and certain things I have to be able to do," Draisaitl said. "I'm not there yet right now. We'll see how that is by the end of the week. There are certain things you can play through and other things where you have to think about your future and the team's future."
Head coach Todd Knoblauch confirmed that Dickinson will not play in the final two games, though his return timeline remains unclear. Jones is expected to miss three to four weeks. The situation leaves Edmonton thin on the forward line, prompting the team to recall Isaac Howard from Bakersfield.
Howard Steps Into a Key Role
Howard will skate on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic, giving the Oilers some offensive punch as they search for crucial wins. Knoblauch expressed confidence in the 24-year-old's development.
"He is a better player now than he was earlier in the year," Knoblauch said. "He's better prepared to handle a big role, and we felt it was good to put him in that spot with two good players."
Howard has been refining his defensive play in Bakersfield, working on positioning and stick placement in the defensive zone. Recent penalty-kill minutes have also accelerated his development.
Tonight's Matchup: Avalanche Arrive Wounded Too
While Edmonton faces a mountain of injuries, Colorado also comes into the contest short-handed. The Avalanche will be without Cale Makar, Josh Manson, and Nazem Kadri. More significantly, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar suffered facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after being struck by a puck during Saturday's game against Vegas. He's sidelined from the road trip but expected back for the playoffs.
Despite their ailments, Colorado has already secured the Presidents' Trophy and carries little urgency into the matchup. That desperation advantage belongs entirely to Edmonton.
Must-Win Situation
The Oilers will need to play with the urgency their playoff positioning demands. Colorado is the fastest team in the NHL and thrives on transition play, making turnover management critical. Edmonton must limit giveaways and avoid allowing dangerous rush chances.
Interestingly, Avalanche forward Martin Necas sits one point shy of 100 for the first time in his career, which could provide additional motivation despite Colorado's secure standing. Meanwhile, Oilers captain Connor McDavid continues his elite season and has a chance to reach 135 points.
The team also recalled Spencer Statny, who didn't stay late at practice, suggesting he could draw into the lineup. Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman both skated but appeared to be dealing with minor discomfort from recent games.
The Path Forward
Tonight's 7:30 p.m. puck drop on Sportsnet West signals the beginning of a crucial final stretch. The Oilers' ability to navigate the remainder of the regular season while managing their injury roster could determine their seeding and, ultimately, their playoff prospects. A victory tonight would be significant, but winning both games this week becomes essential to controlling their own destiny in a crowded Pacific Division race.
This article based on reporting from OilersNation. For more detailed coverage, visit OilersNation.com.