Draisaitl has also been rolling the clock recently, having scored 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists) in his last 11 games. He has 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) in 38 games this season and is tied with San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (55 points in 37 games) for third place in the league in scoring.
“The guys are just playing better,” McDavid said. “When teams struggle, everyone looks for answers and points the finger at this or that, but in the end it all comes down to each person’s individual play. I think collectively our play has improved as the season has gone on, especially over the last two weeks and month. This is the most important. »
The Oilers are also getting healthy.
Forward Zach Hyman returned to action Nov. 15 after nursing a wrist injury suffered in last season’s Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars, and he’s starting to look more like the player who scored 54 goals two seasons ago. He collected 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 19 games this season.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returned to action on November 29 after missing nine games with an undisclosed injury. He picked up where he left off, accumulating 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in his last 13 games. The forward has collected 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 29 games this season.
Forward Jack Roslovic returned on December 21 after missing 11 games with a lower body injury. He has accumulated 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in 25 games this year.
“That’s also a big factor,” McDavid admitted. “You ask me what’s the biggest difference? We are healthier. We are still missing a few players, but we are in better health, [Hyman] is back and playing well, and [Nugent-Hopkins] is there and doing its job. We recovered [Roslovic] and the guys feel good and healthy. »
The Oilers feel like they’re once again playing like the Stanley Cup contenders they’ve been the past two seasons.
“Our requirement is to be a playoff team,” Draisaitl said. “When you start the season like we did, no one is happy, no one likes it. We knew we could do better and (play) a lot better. Everyone pulled together and started playing better. Now we are in a better position and we want to continue this momentum. »
After going through an intense stretch of their schedule, with three long series of road games in the East before the break, Edmonton is heading into the new year with optimism. The Oilers will no longer play road games against Eastern opponents this season and will play 26 of their final 44 games at home.
“I don’t know if there was another team with a tougher schedule than us to start the season, with two trips to the east coast and as many games on the road,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch.
“Now that the worst is over, we have many more home games and our trips are much shorter, everything will take place practically in our association. It’s positive to know that we got through these difficult times and are where we are today. »