Oilers Head Into Holiday Break After NHL Loss

A year ago, the Edmonton Oilers found themselves in a precarious position, struggling to find consistency in the NHL standings. On December 22, 2023, they notched a second consecutive win by defeating the New York Rangers, but little did they know this was the spark of a historic run. The victory marked the beginning of a 16-game winning streak, a feat spanning nearly six weeks and falling just one win short of the NHL record.

A Year of Transformation

At that point last season, the Oilers were 15-15-1, sitting 12th in the Western Conference and trailing the Arizona Coyotes by five points for the final wildcard spot. It had been just over a month since Kris Knoblauch had stepped in as head coach, taking the reins from Jay Woodcroft after the Oilers’ dismal 3-9-1 start.

Fast forward to the end of the regular season: the Oilers soared to second place in the Pacific Division, advanced through the NHL playoffs, and fought their way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Lessons from Adversity

Reflecting on the challenges, Knoblauch highlighted the growth his team underwent through both the highs and lows.

“We learned a lot last year,” Knoblauch shared after Edmonton’s 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. “Whether it was during the regular season, the playoff experience we gained, or even before I arrived—the tough losses, the winning streaks, all of it—every game brought valuable lessons. The more experience this group gathers, the better we’ve become at handling adversity.”

Building Momentum

The Oilers are heading into the holiday break on a strong note, with 11 wins in their last 13 games. At 21-11-2, they sit second in the Pacific Division as of Monday.

One of the key contributors to their recent success is Zach Hyman, whose consistent scoring has been crucial. Hyman, now on a six-game goal streak, has tallied 10 goals in his last nine outings, bringing his season total to 13 goals along with six assists in 29 games.

“We’re doing our best to keep the losses to a minimum,” Hyman explained. “Recently, we’ve been executing well in every zone, and it’s showing in our results.”

A Well-Deserved Break

The Oilers will enjoy a five-day break starting Monday, with the entire NHL pausing from Tuesday to Thursday. They return to action on Saturday with an away game against the Los Angeles Kings (2 PM MT).

For Hyman and his teammates, the break comes at a perfect time.

“Heading into the holiday break, it’s all about relaxing and recharging,” Hyman said. “We’ll come back ready to tackle the rest of the season.”

As the Oilers prepare for the second half of the season, their eyes remain firmly set on building upon the momentum that has brought them this far. With lessons learned and confidence soaring, they are poised to continue their pursuit of NHL glory.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Oilers return to the ice!