The Edmonton Oilers have completed their first 10 games of the 2025-26 season, providing fans and analysts with some early insights into the team's performance. While it's still early days, these initial games offer several key takeaways regarding the Oilers' strengths, weaknesses, and overall trajectory for the season.
1. Uneven Goaltending Tandem
The Oilers' goaltending situation has been a talking point, with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard seemingly splitting duties in a near-even rotation. Skinner has started six games, while Pickard has taken the crease for four, including the last two. It remains unclear whether this strategy is designed to challenge Skinner or to keep him fresh for a long season, but the even split suggests a potentially different approach to goaltending management this year.
2. McDavid's Quiet Start
Expectations were high for Connor McDavid to increase his shooting this season. However, through the first 10 games, while he has 12 points, only one of those is a goal. This puts him on pace for a lower-than-usual goal total for a player of his caliber. Whether this is a temporary slump or a sign of a change in his playing style remains to be seen.
3. Offensive Struggles Beyond Top Stars
The Oilers' offensive production seems concentrated within their top players. Leon Draisaitl has 11 points (seven goals and four assists), but beyond him and McDavid, the scoring depth has been lacking. Evan Bouchard, for instance, is on pace for a significantly lower point total compared to expectations. The team needs more consistent contributions from its secondary scorers to alleviate the pressure on McDavid and Draisaitl.
4. Defensive Issues and Save Percentage
The Oilers' save percentage has been a concern, ranking low in the league. This, combined with an unfavorable on-ice shooting percentage, contributes to a low PDO (a measure of luck). While the Oilers have allowed an average amount of goals, they have struggled to keep the puck out of their own net consistently.
5. Need for Patience
Despite the slow start, with a record of 4-4-2 tying them with the Chicago Blackhawks for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, there's no need for panic in Edmonton. The team has a history of improving as the season progresses, and with 72 games remaining, there's ample time to turn things around. The Oilers are only a few points behind the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division, illustrating how quickly the standings can shift.
In summary, the Edmonton Oilers' first 10 games have presented a mixed bag of results. While the goaltending situation and the performance of star players are notable talking points, the team's overall performance suggests that improvements are needed in offensive depth and defensive solidity. However, with a long season ahead, there's still plenty of opportunity for the Oilers to address these issues and solidify their position as a top contender.
