The Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid looks back at the incredible run that his team has been on.
The Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid looks back at the incredible run that his team has been on.
EDMONTON -- Stop me if you've heard this before - the Edmonton Oilers win another game to extend their winning streak. After getting a win last night against the Nashville Predators the Oilers have now won 16 games in a row.
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The Oilers held steady all game, securing a 4-1 win. They received contributions offensively from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Connor McDavid. McDavid and Draisaitl turned up the offense yesterday with a four-point night and a three-point night respectively.
A nine day break now stands in the way of the team matching an NHL record. They will get their opportunity to earn their 17th win in a row when they come back from the All-Star break against the Vegas Golden Knights. That game is scheduled for Tuesday February 6.
The Oilers have gained a lot of ground since the coaching change from Jay Woodcroft to Kris Knoblauch. They were 2-9-1 when Woodcroft was replaced with the new regime.
Five points separates the Golden Knights from the Oilers. The Oilers are in a good position though - with a higher winning percentage (.656% vs .640%) and five games in hand on the Golden Knights.
Putting together this win streak has been a great thing for this team. McDavid said that, "it's exciting. Obviously it's a great run."
The Oilers have been able to win games in different ways along this entire run. McDavid talked about what has been working well for the team over this recent stretch.
"We've gotten great goaltending, the back end has been good, the [penalty] kill has been amazing, those are all good things."
When was the last time that the Oilers were known for their defensive play? This writer can't recall a time when the Oilers have ever been described as such.
With things going as well as they have lately, it's tough to criticize how the team is playing. There are areas where they can improve and McDavid acknowledged where the Oilers can elevate their play.
"It's nice to score a few on the power play. It's been an area that's been our weakest through this stretch." Even earlier in his availability McDavid brought up the team's play over the past few games, "I thought this past week wasn't our best hockey but we found a way to get three wins."
Despite the less-than-ideal play that has resulted in their most recent wins, the Oilers captain likes what he has seen from his teammates. This run of games has been special, and McDavid reflected on what has contributed to that.
"I think what makes it special is it's been everybody. It's been everybody, all together pulling on the rope. It hasn't been one or two guys, it's been the entire group."
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He highlighted a few players and situations in particular as he continued, "whether it's DR [Derek Ryan] scoring a big goal, kill one off late in the third...it's been everybody pulling the rope. That's what good groups do."
This group has already achieved something special. With their game-to-game approach it's tough to imagine when (or if) this win streak will ever end.
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