And in the context of the league as a whole, Toronto is probably regarded as a 7-10 range team.
See, maintaining ones place in the standings over 82 is a greater feat than Oilers fans give it credit for. That's cause they've rarely ever managed it over the last couple decades.
They were fading down the stretch last season, playing awful hockey where they were drastically outplayed into March and likely would've fallen into bubble territory had it fully played out. You can make that pretty educated guess based on how they were trending and how they stacked up vs the Blackhawks.
For a team carried by two-three players though, it makes sense. They get fatigued or are unable to give 100% at some point and the whole team fades as a result without legitimate depth there to pick up the slack or step up in their place.
I guess thats why they call it a team game. You have to endure the rigors of a full season as a group and get there as a group, not just by the hands of two lottery stars that fell into your lap. A war of attrition.
The Oilers are built for great small sample sizes in unusual circumstances though, I'll give them that.
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