Oilers Near Historic Winning Streak with 16th Consecutive Victory
The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of making NHL history with their remarkable winning streak. With the team's recent triumph over the Nashville Predators, they have now claimed victory in 16 consecutive games. This impressive run positions the Oilers just one win away from equalling the league record for the longest winning streak.
During their latest contest against the Predators, superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continued to showcase their skills by contributing significantly to the team's 4-1 win. Both players recorded one goal and two assists, further solidifying their pivotal roles in the Oilers' success this season.
Dominant Performances Across the Board
Other key players, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, contributed to the scoreline for the Oilers, with each finding the back of the net. In addition to the impressive offensive display, goaltender Stuart Skinner rendered a noteworthy performance by making 28 saves, setting a new franchise record with 12 straight wins to his name.
Edmonton's defense deserves accolades as well, having allowed the fewest goals in the NHL this season, attributing to the team's strong and consistent performance. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators faced a setback, as this game marked their third loss in the last four outings.
An important highlight from the game was the Oilers capitalizing on a power play opportunity midway through the first period to score their initial goal. This moment not only led to Edmonton’s eventual victory but also marked a significant personal achievement for Draisaitl, as he reached his 800th career point. Making the achievement even more noteworthy, Draisaitl became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach this milestone.
Statistical Marvels
Statistics underscore the exceptional nature of the duo's performance this season, with McDavid and Draisaitl combining for an extraordinary total of 28 goals and 76 assists. These numbers are a testament to their leadership on the ice and play a significant role in the Oilers’ success.
Both players have a storied history of accolades within the league: Draisaitl was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2020, while McDavid has earned the prestigious honor three times—in 2017, 2021, and 2023. Their collective efforts have propelled the Oilers to share the second-longest winning streak with the Columbus Blue Jackets and chase the Pittsburgh Penguins’ enduring record of 17 games set during the 1992-93 season.
Upcoming Challenges
The Oilers will take on the Vegas Golden Knights on February 6th in an encounter that will determine if they can match or potentially surpass the record for the longest winning streak in NHL history. The foundation of Edmonton's current streak dates back to December 21st, when they secured a victory against the New York Islanders. Since then, the team has accumulated an impressive 15-0-1 record throughout the streak.
Looking at a broader scope of the season, the Oilers have showcased formidable form with a record of 24-3-0 in their last 27 games. A key component to their success has been on the defensive front, where Edmonton established a franchise-record streak of 14 games preventing their opponents from scoring more than two goals.
Players Reflect on Their Historic Run
In their own words, the leaders of the team express the significance of such a streak. "This past week wasn’t our best hockey and we found a way to get three wins, which is a great sign," McDavid said. "We’ve gotten great goaltending, the back end has been good, the kill has been amazing; those are all good things."
Draisaitl, reflecting on the team's recent performances, shared his insight into the Oilers' resilience despite some sloppy play, "It takes a lot of good efforts and a lot of good games to get to that number. We have been a bit sloppy the last three games but have obviously had some individual performances that have gotten us the wins. You need that sometimes too. It’s been a great stretch for us."
The Edmonton Oilers are undoubtedly writing an exciting chapter in their franchise history—as well as NHL history—with each game they play during this winning streak. Not only are the players chasing a record, but they are also captivating hockey fans across the globe with their determination, teamwork, and sheer talent. As they prepare to face the Golden Knights, all eyes will be on whether the Oilers can continue their dominant run and skate into the record books.