Oilers' Defensive Surge Secures Playoff Spot

0:00It's April 20th from the locker room to your ears. This is NHL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a killer late-season run in the 2025-26 NHL campaign, going seven wins, two losses and two ties. Over their final 11 games to snack second place in the Pacific Division, that hot streak locked in home ice for their first round playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks, kicking off Monday, April 20th at Rodgers Place. Without superstar Leon Dryazidle sidelined by a lower body injury since March 15th, the Oilers tightened up big time on defense. They dropped from allowing 3.39 goals per game early on to just 2.18 lately, and overall this season, it's 2.0. Two three goals without him, versus 3.49 with him in the lineup. Fans and analysts are buzzing about how this forced the team to rethink their game, ditching the high risk offense for a structured approach.

1:00Offense dipped only slightly to 3.29 goals per game without dryazidle, but hits jumped 26%, blocks 15%, and shots against Phil 10% over the last 11. Paul Coffey's return as assistant coach on February 18th lines up perfectly with his defensive glow up, echoing the squad that hit back-to-back, Stanley Cup finals in 2024 and 2025. The Oilers win 10 wins, 5 losses, and 2 ties in Dryazidle's 17 missed games. If they keep this defensive edge when Dryazidle possibly returns for game 1, pairing it with McDavid's firepower could finally hoist that cup after, years of close calls.