The Oilers Will Make the Playoffs

The biggest goal in recent Oilers history. What a night.

Why? That's what I hope to explain. But before I begin, there are a few things I'd like to clarify. First off, I'm not saying this because I'm a defined "blind-faither", because I look at this team as objectively as possible. This rather bold statement is truly what I believe.

There will be teams whose primary action at the trade deadline will be to sell-off potential UFAs and players who take up a good portion of their team's salary, but this list of potential sellers does not include the Edmonton Oilers. Although Oil Country has been subject to frustrating play and stretches of inconsistency, the Oilers are still very much in the battle for a playoff spot. As of right now, the Oilers are currently four points behind the Minnesota Wild who sit in 8th place in the NHL's Western Conference standings, and the Oilers hold a very important game at hand - assuming the Oilers win this game at hand, that leaves them only two points out of a playoff spot. If Kevin Lowe begins to sell-off the team for future plans, look for an uproar from Oiler fans. If the GM were to give up while only one win from a playoff position, this would show a lack of commitment to success. Most people would understand the idea of a partial rebuild, but this team is realistically a few players from becoming a good team; one that can compete with the big boys of the NHL.

What's the difference between this year's edition of the Oilers compared to last year? Not a whole lot. Much of the season was viewed as complete frustration with the constant goaltending issues the Oilers had. We all thought that the Oilers were a good team, but were held back by the short leash of our average goaltending. Was this all? Although such players as Samsonov, Tarnstrom, and Spacek were added near the trade deadline, no acquisition had a greater impact than that of Dwayne Roloson - the missing link in the Oilers' hopeful success. Would the Oilers have made it to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals without Dwayne Roloson in the lineup? Hell no. Jussi Markkanen stepped up and played phenomenally well in the finals, but his regular season play as a 'starter' proved to most people that he probably wouldn't have been able to perform at that level throughout the post-season. Heck, Roli even stole a few games down the stretch to the playoffs as well. Who knows if the Oilers would have even made the playoffs without acquiring that missing link.

This year is similar. Our problem all season has clearly been the defense. Unfortunately, play in this position has a drastic effect on the performance of the rest of the team. Without a solid breakout pass and strong defensive play, it is nearly impossible to create as much offense as one would hope. When the Oilers acquire a defenseman or two, look for both the offense and the defense to improve significantly. As well as that, it should also aid in the consistency of Roloson's play; he's been facing far too many shots so far this season, so I'm hopeful that a solid puck moving defenseman(men) will assist in easing his workload.

I'm sure that a few acquisitions will improve this team to a great extent, but of course, that alone will not be enough. This is why I found these quotes to be so satisfying:

Ales Hemsky following Friday night's loss to San Jose:

"We suck. We stink. We look like we don't know how to play hockey. And you can start with me."

Are you kidding me? Someone on this team finally stepped up and said it like it is? Not only that, but he takes ownership for his own play. I applaud this quote, and that's exactly the kind of fire that he (and the team) needs to play with. Play with passion, play to win. I'm just surprised that the first one to say this was Hemsky. It's time for the others to adopt this mentality and start showing that intensity as well.

But it doesn't stop there. This was said in a one-on-one interview yesterday:

"Everybody has been saying 'You're going to be a star.' I want to get to the point where they are saying 'You are a star," Hemsky said in a revealing one-on-one interview yesterday.

"I'm in the league for five years now."

"I want people to say that all the time now."

"That's the challenge I have."

"I've learned that the most important thing is that you play good as a team. I'll be happy with 60 points if we get to the Stanley Cup final again."

"To score 120 points and don't make the playoffs is useless."

"You go home and say 'I scored 100 points' and people say 'You didn't make the playoffs."

"I want to be a leader on the team and a leader in the game."


This kid amazes me! I'm so impressed! This shows that he's committed to becoming a better player, and I'm hoping this initiates some elevation to his play. Again, I hope others feel the same way. They need to understand that everyone needs to step up. No one is above another, because this is a team game and everyone must contribute their best in order to achieve success as a group.

If everyone on this team steps up and understands their role, success is sure to follow. For me, the biggest problem that the Oilers have faced in the first 50 games has been confidence and drive. I partially blame head coach Craig MacTavish for this, but I'm relieved that they have finally understood what it takes to be successful.

There are a few things that need to happen in order for the Oilers to make the playoffs, but I firmly believe that if they continue with the drive that Hemsky initiated, in addition to a couple of acquisitions, this team will make the playoffs. And as we all witnessed last year, all you have to do is make the dance.