Are the Oilers a Playoff Team?

The Edmonton Oilers? A playoff team? Some might find it hard to believe. They've already five consecutive wins at home and have been doing pretty well without Connor McDavid, their bright, young star. They may not be reliving the Stanley Cup days of the 1980s, but the drumbeats of the playoffs seem to be coming closer and closer.

They've missed the playoffs for nine consecutive years and I would like to see them get back into the playoffs. During their current winning streak, they've won games against the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers.

Even though they have played well at home, they still have some work to do on the road. No doubt, however, that they have been the NHL's most improved team over the past three weeks. So why are the Oilers turning the corner?

Well, for starters, there's Leon Draitsaitl from the AHL. He has nine goals and 26 points in 20 games. He is already looking like one of the top performers in this game. He also had four assists in that win over the Rangers. Another big reason is their offense. You might have thought the offense would sputter without Connor McDavid being there, but think again. The high draft picks the Oilers have picked in recent years is starting to pay big time. Taylor Hall is having a great season, with 14 goals and 34 points in 30 games, as well as talented seasons by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, and Teddy Purcell.

Todd McLellan, I believe, should get a lot of credit for what he has been doing in Edmonton. The expectations was that the former Sharks coach would clean up the team's efficiency and it really is starting to show up. The defensive game will still be something to be taken care of, but I think McLellan is really changing the attitude that this team brings in, day in and day out.

The Oilers look like a team on the rise. They are optimistic about making the playoffs, and I'm happy that they're finally becoming relevant in the league again. Let's be honest, the NHL isn't really doing any justice when their top teams aren't doing well. Although the league was great with having the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers doing well, they would've been even better if the Oilers were in there. And now they look like they're ready to get in. We're still in December, no doubt about that, but right now, they look like a dangerous team that everyone needs to watch out for.