Despite the slow start, the Edmonton Oilers will very likely make the playoffs.
The season may feel out of reach for many, but with two wins already in the bank the Edmonton Oilers can put a run together and make the playoffs.
With the recent firing of Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson as wind in their sails, the players are motivated to prove everyone who has doubted them wrong. This will make the new coach's job easier.
With Kris Knoblauch's first NHL win as a head coach in the rearview mirror, here are two reasons why I think the Oilers will still make the playoffs.
Regressing to the Mean
The Oilers are second in the NHL in both Corsi For percentage (CF%) and Fenwick For percentage (FF%) - behind only the Carolina Hurricanes in both categories. They are 21st in the league for goals scored.
Kris Knoblauch.Eventually the looks will start going in. They can't maintain this unlucky streak for an entire season. Tonight could be the beginning of the damn breaking.
New-Coach Bump
We have seen many recent examples of coaches coming in mid-season and the team turning things around and going on winning streaks. It happened with the Oilers with the last coach they hired in Jay Woodcroft.
It happened with the Vancouver Canucks when Bruce Boudreau took over for Travis Green. Teams that go through a mid-season coaching change experience a performance bump in the first 20 games post change.
Visit the Striking Oil Podcast website
Subscribe to the Striking Oil Podcast YouTube Channel
Related: Oilers Must Relieve Coach of Duties
Related: Superstar Forward Considering Signing With Oilers
Related: Oilers Announce Coach to Replace Woodcroft
Related: Oilers Game Against Seattle Didn't Matter