The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are not far away. If the season ended today, the Edmonton Oilers would face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the postseason. Edmonton is currently third in the Atlantic Division with a 31-25-8 record with 70 points.
As for Vegas, they currently have a 29-21-14 record with 72 points. The Golden Knights are currently second in the Atlantic Division. These two teams have been very familiar with each other in the postseason in the past.
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Over the last two years, the Oilers have been in the Stanley Cup finals twice before losing to the Florida Panthers. As for Vegas, they were in the finals during the 2022-2023 NHL season and took down the Panthers. Which team has the better chance to make a run deep into the spring: Edmonton or Vegas?
NHL Analyst Thinks That Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers Could Be Sent Home by the Vegas Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) at Rogers Place. Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
(Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
Craig Button of TSN was asked about who he thinks has a better chance of making a playoff run in the spring: the Oilers or the Golden Knights? Button said, “You’re asking me today who I think has the ingredients to go on a long run? It’s the Vegas Golden Knights.” This should not be a surprising answer to anyone.
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Neither team has great goaltending, the Golden Knights roster wise is better constructed than the Oilers roster is. If Connor McDavid and Edmonton were to go down in the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, then there are going to be major questions if he will ever win it all or not.
The biggest issue with the Oilers is the defense and the goaltending. That has been a disaster for this team in McDavid’s entire career. The Golden Knight just won it all a couple of years ago and Jack Eichel silenced his doubters. Mitchell Marner will look to do the same this postseason with Vegas.
Edmonton has won the west the last two season and they shouldn’t be written off so easily. With that being said, this Oilers team is definitely not the same team it has been over the last two seasons, and they feel very vulnerable for an early playoff exit.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.