EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are heating up at exactly the right time of year, and their dressing room knows it.
Matthew Savoie scored the game-winner Thursday night as Edmonton dispatched the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1, extending the Oilers' winning streak to a season-high five games. The victory pushed Edmonton level with Anaheim at 87 points, tied for top spot in the Pacific Division — and within reach of the franchise's first divisional title since 1987, a 40-year drought that stands as the longest in NHL history.
Captain Connor McDavid, who saw his personal goal-scoring streak end at five games but added an assist to stretch his point streak to six games and 11 points, made clear the team's priorities heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
"Everybody just kind of ramped it up with it being close to playoff time and we're still jostling for a spot and positioning. These games matter and we're dug in," McDavid said. "Just putting the 'X' beside our name is the main thing — just getting in, that's our main focus."
McDavid now sits at 126 points on the season, two ahead of Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov for the NHL scoring lead.
Savoie Stepping Up
Rookie forward Savoie has been one of the Oilers' most pleasant surprises down the stretch, tallying four goals in his last five games and 14 points over his last 18 outings. The 20-year-old said the locker room's focus has sharpened considerably in recent weeks.
"The past few weeks we're really buying in," Savoie said. "We know how important this time of year is and the push we have to make to get into the playoffs and give ourselves a really good spot in the seedings. Guys know how big a time of year it is and guys are digging in."
Resilient Without Draisaitl
What makes Edmonton's current form all the more impressive is that it has been accomplished without star forward Leon Draisaitl, who is out for the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Adam Henrique and Vasily Podkolzin also found the back of the net Thursday, with Henrique's goal — his third of the season and first in 50 games, dating back to Oct. 23 — drawing a rousing response from teammates and coaching staff alike.
"It's just a team game, top to bottom. Missing Leon, nobody's going to fill that in — we've got to do that as a group," Henrique said. "It really has been a complete effort: every line, special teams, and in net getting big saves at key times. That's something we need right through to the end and obviously through the playoffs."
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Henrique's often-unsung contributions, noting the veteran forward leads the team in sacrificing his body to block shots. "As a forward, I'm sure he has the most blocked shots per minute," Knoblauch said. "He's been snake-bitten, not being able to score goals. Nice to see him score. Everybody was excited."
The Numbers Back It Up
Edmonton's record now stands at 39-28-9, with the club winning seven of its last nine games. The Oilers are a dominant 29-5-5 when they score first — a testament to their defensive structure and goaltending when protecting a lead. Knoblauch acknowledged the team is playing well but suggested the 40-year divisional title drought isn't necessarily the motivating force in the room — simply securing a playoff spot and entering the post-season with momentum is the immediate goal.
With two trips to the Stanley Cup Final in the past two seasons, these Oilers know how to win when it matters most. The question now is whether that experience will carry them past Anaheim and into the divisional crown — and deeper into May and June once again.
Source: Global Calgary. This article was rewritten and expanded by WestNet News Staff.