The Edmonton Oilers are Stanley Cup contenders this season, but there are three teams they especially shouldn't underestimate.
The Edmonton Oilers have always been a team that gives the best in the NHL a run for their money. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche or Tampa Bay Lightning always seem to bring the best out of the Oilers.
However, three teams last year were a handful for the Oilers. The Oilers managed to not win any games against these teams in 2022-23. The surprising thing about those teams - two of them didn't make the playoffs last year.
New Jersey Devils
The lone team on the list to make the playoffs, the New Jersey Devils are a team on a meteoric rise through the NHL ranks. Jack Hughes is a gifted and dynamic offensive talent. Dougie Hamilton is a top 10 offensive defenseman in the league. They have great forward and blue line depth.
Connor McDavid.The Oilers were 0-2 against the Devils last year. They allowed nine goals against and only scored five. They averaged 35.5 shots against per game while only landing 33.5 shots on average against the Devils. With the new defensive systems in place this year, look for the shots against to dramatically decrease.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals will always be a threat for as long as Alex Ovechkin is playing hockey. He is more motivated than ever to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record. Last year may have been a disappointment for the franchise, but they won't sulk around on the ice any time soon. With a new coaching staff and some new faces in the line-up, this is a team poised to surprise everyone.
The Oilers also had an 0-2 record against the Capitals - with six goals scored and eight goals against in those two games. They only managed 29.5 shots on goal per game. They allowed a whopping 40.5 shots against per game, the second most that any other team had against the Oilers. A full season of having Mattias Ekholm on the blue line along with a 1-1-3 neutral zone system should help the Oilers give their goaltenders a better chance to win those games.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arguably the most surprising team on this list, is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nothing against the team, but a draft lottery team shouldn't give a Stanley Cup Contender this tough of a time. They have incredible talent with Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, and Zach Werenski. Last year was a struggle for them, but a new coaching staff and some excellent additions should boost the threat they present to every team on a nightly basis.
Zach Hyman.In the two games they played against each other, the Oilers went 0-1-1. In the loss and overtime loss they managed to score seven goals and allow nine. The Oilers averaged 41.5 shots per game and only allowed 26.5 shots per game.
On the road to the playoffs and (hopefully) a Stanley Cup, the Oilers will need to not play down to their competition. By sticking to their new systems - and their game plan for every single game of the regular season, they give themselves the best chance to win regardless of opponent.
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