Certain numbers indicate that the Edmonton Oilers are better than they’ve seemed, but now much simpler ones are starting to look a lot more promising.
The Oilers gained a measure of revenge for head coach Todd McLellan, as Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl powered a 4-3 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks (aka the team that fired McLellan).
Hall and Draisaitl continue to be the lifeblood of the Oilers offense, really carrying the load especially - but not exclusively - once Connor McDavid suffered his very unlucky injury.
Could that win mean more than that, though?
The Oilers are now on a four-game winning streak to begin the month of December, making the most of a homestand that ends when they host the New York Rangers on Friday. This tweet might say the most, though:
Oilers have won four one-goal games in a row and will be no worse than three points out of a playoff spot by night's end.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) December 10, 2015
In the age of “the charity point,” that potential gap is a little bigger than it may seem. And, yes, it must be mentioned that the Pacific Division is downright pitiful.
Still, the Oilers will take it, especially when you consider how many people dismissed their chances once they lost McDavid.
It was a rough night for the Sharks beyond the scoreboard, as Logan Couture may have gotten injured.
#SJSharks DeBoer said Couture's injury is lower body. Wanted to keep it at that for now. Doesn't sound real promising
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) December 10, 2015