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The Pacific Division lead is within reach for McDavid and the Oilers

Edmonton Oilers v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 13: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his first career NHL goal against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on October 13, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Forget just making the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers have already taken care of a post-season berth, recently ending a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing franchise drought.

But why stop there? Despite giving up 40 shots on goal, the Oilers held on to defeat the San Jose Sharks by a score of 3-2 on Thursday, giving Connor McDavid and Co. a solid 95 points.

Coupled with Anaheim’s overtime loss to Winnipeg, and the Oilers are a single point behind the Ducks for the Pacific Division lead, while the Sharks remain three back.

Should the Oilers win the division, it could set up a potential first-round Battle of Alberta -- one of the storied rivalries of the NHL, although it’s been difficult to hype this match-up in recent years because both teams have toiled below the playoff standard in the Western Conference.

McDavid increased his lead in the overall points race. With a goal -- another beauty -- and an assist, he is now up to 91 points, which is seven ahead of Patrick Kane.

“We made a few mistakes and they’re opportunistic, especially obviously McDavid,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer told CSN Bay Area. “A couple poor line changes in the first, and [if] he gets any kind of room at all and you make a mistake when he’s on the ice, it’s got a good chance it’ll end up in the back of the net and it did.”

Patrick Maroon scored twice, including the winner.

Playing a large portion of this season -- more than 650 minutes at five-on-five, per stats.hockeyanalysis.com -- on a line with McDavid, Maroon is now up to 27 goals, which is a massive increase from his previous career best of 12 last season in time spent between Anaheim and Edmonton.

This latest win sets up a massive showdown between the Oilers and Ducks on Saturday. A regulation win for the Oilers would give them top spot in the Pacific Division.

No fooling.