Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I have a hard time imagining that the Oilers with their defence and goaltending could be a top-four team in the Division. Add to that the near certainty that they will not set another record for powerplay success, and they and the Canucks look like the best candidates to take a step back this season.
Think about it like this: the Oilers are the only team since the lockout to have a powerplay rating over 29%. Twelve teams in that time have managed ratings better than 25%, but none better than 27%. Only two teams—the 2008–10 Washington Capitals, and the 2018–20 Boston Bruins—have managed to pass the 25% mark in back-to-back seasons. The 2019–20 Oilers powerplay was a unicorn. It is not happening again this year.
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It's not that they are a top 4 team, it's just that there are only 2 good teams.
Two of VAN, EDM, MTL, WPG will make the playoffs. And it could be ANY 2. IMO, the most likely of those 4 is probably EDM. But all of them are no good, so it's a dog's breakfast no matter how you slice it.