The Edmonton Oilers are second in the Pacific Division, and they have Leon Draisaitl to thank for that. While their 27-13-3 record through 43 games was largely expected, how they got there has been somewhat surprising.

Dallas needs Klingberg more than the Oilers. Their other three right-shot D — Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin and Nils Lundkvist — haven’t scored a goal all season long. He wants to play on a Cup contender and wherever he signs, he’s in audition mode for next season.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is absolutely crushing it among NHL players when it comes to producing offense at the most crucial time of the game, says Ken Campbell.

Here are the report cards for the first half Oilers in 2024-25.

It has become uncomfortable, this whole Jeff Skinner thing here in Edmonton. He’s being asked to make a mid-season adjustment to a role that, frankly, he may not be equipped to execute.

Last year, the Edmonton Oilers dealt with a new coaching duo in Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey. They came in and replaced Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson after a rocky start to the year. But change doesn't stop there.

The Oilers will alter their approach by going with 11 forwards and seven defencemen on Monday night when they host the Kings in a Pacific Division battle at Rogers Place

In 1979-80, the Oilers outscored the league average by 20 goals but surrendered 41 more goals than average. When the team won Stanley in 1984, Edmonton outscored the average by a stunning 130 goals, while also giving up two fewer goals than average.

Despite a mediocre start, the Oilers are in about as good a position as anyone could've hoped for going into the year. True, they're not at the top of the league or even their own division, but they've got a playoff spot all but locked up (97.

The Oilers have beaten up on this demographic all season long, with a 5-0 record against the Bruins, Penguins, Rangers, and Islanders. They beat the Penguins 4-0 when they last met on October 25th, the middle of what would become a six-game losing streak for Pittsburgh.

It has become uncomfortable, this whole Jeff Skinner thing here in Edmonton. He's being asked to make a mid-season adjustment to a role that, frankly, he may not be equipped to execute.

It was hard-nosed blueliner Darnell Nurse who picked up the primary assist. His contribution was being ready to take a Draisaitl pass, and blast a solid attempt on net but have it stopped by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Instead, it was Draisaitl who did all the work to make this four-on-four goal happen.