It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Edmonton Oilers to start the 2025-26 season. They lose one, win two, lose a few, win a few more, and look like a different team every night. Based on the past few seasons, this isn’t a reason to panic, as this team has started slow many times before rising in the standings. So in saying that, this is the moment when the winning ways kick in and the team gets back to what they have been.
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This edition of the Oilers looks a lot different than past seasons, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways they can do their best. There is still plenty of time left in the season and a lot of collecting for this team that fans may not even realize. They will need to implement those things as quickly as possible for future success.
Oilers line combos are still taking shape
With inconsistencies comes a lot of experimentation for the coaches. Head coach Kris Knoblauch takes advantage of all the different combinations he can create and the unique skills of each player he has. We have rarely seen the forward lines remain identical from one game to the next and when they do, they usually change during the game anyway.
As things develop and more and more of the right guys enter the lineup, Knoblauch will have to find the perfect recipe. There have been a few games where a few combinations looked really good, but the next game we saw something different on the ice. The Oilers played perhaps their most complete game when they visited the New York Rangers earlier this season, but they also had a strong game in their recent loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
There were vastly different line combinations in both games, so it will be a joint effort between coaches and players to decide what will work and what won’t. Either way, the clock is ticking in the early season to find out who matches who.
Wounded oil companies
Part of the reason it’s difficult to put together ideal lines is the fact that Edmonton continues to face injury issues as we get closer to November. Zach Hyman remains out until at least this weekend as we wait to hear more about his status. Fellow striker Mattias Janmark’s return date is also up in the air as he recovers from his own injury. Perfecting the forward lines cannot be fully accomplished without all available options being in place.
The Oilers need to get healthy and stay on the ice. They struggled with injuries at the end of last season and it was very clear that the injuries and constant lineup juggling affected their performances and cost them a handful of wins. Even if Hyman, Janmark and injured defenseman Alec Regula all return in time, it will take some time to reintegrate them and get them back up to speed. The sooner the better to get these guys in game action.
Play a complete hockey game
One easy thing to notice in the Oilers’ up and down starts is a bit of lopsided play in games. A simple example is their recent game against the Montreal Canadiens. The game opened 1-1, then Edmonton jumped in front 3-1 in the second, followed by the Canadiens taking a 5-3 lead in the same period, and finally the Oilers stormed back in the third to win 6-5. Although they achieved victory, it is certainly not a sustainable way to win in the future.
A balanced attack combined with consistent defense and goaltending will be the recipe for success. It appears that at least one part of their team is not in action every night and that will have to change. It takes complete hockey games to advance, and especially in the playoffs.
The season is of course still very young. Time and time again, we’ve seen this Oilers team figure things out quickly and play great hockey. They just need to get in shape and keep playing their game.
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