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The Day After 12.0: Oilers lose Hyman to injury, fall to Red Wings in shootout
The Oilers fall to the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout on Oct. 27, 2026, after surrendering a 17‑7 second‑period shot disadvantage. Vancouver’s Zach Hyman leaves hurt after a collision with defenseman Andreas Englund, joining Mattias Ekholm on the injured list. Despite a 1‑0 first‑period lead from Vasily Podkolzin and contributions from Isaac Howard and Colton Dach, the Oilers couldn’t recover, with Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Formenton and Dylan Larkin scoring for Detroit. Coach Mike Babcock praises Dacher’s wing play and sees Howard’s first goal as a hopeful sign, while lineup adjustments loom for the upcoming Calgary game.
Instant Reaction: Depth scoring not enough as Oilers fall to Red Wings in shootout
The Edmonton Oilers suffer their first back‑to‑back losses of the season, dropping a 4‑3 shootout to the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 27. After an early goal by Leon Draisaitl, Viktor Arvidsson tied the game for Detroit, and the teams exchanged leads three times before Dylan Larkin’s late tying goal forced overtime. The Red Wings win the shootout on the sole skill‑shot conversion. Key takeaways: Zach Hyman exits with a head‑impact injury, Colton Dach scores his first goal and records an assist after moving to the second line, and Isaac Howard nets his first goal in 363 days. The Oilers fall to 8‑2‑2 despite strong contributions from McDavid, Podkolzin and Draisaitl.
NHL Notebook: Oilers fall in power rankings, Kucherov sets record
The Edmonton Oilers sit 8-2-1 after a month of the 2026-27 NHL season but slip to ninth in Daily Faceoff’s power rankings, despite recent OT wins over Minnesota (4-3) and Carolina (6-5) and a 7-2 loss to Toronto. Analysts praise Connor McDavid’s projected 200‑point pace but warn the team’s depth and defense remain concerns. Upcoming home games include Detroit and Calgary, followed by road trips to the Islanders and Rangers. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov becomes the franchise’s all‑time points leader with 1,138 career points, surpassing Steven Stamkos, and the Carolina Hurricanes sign defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one‑year, $3 million deal.
Babcock needs to change how he’s handling the Oilers’ forward group
Mike Babcock’s Oilers have surged to an 8-2-1 start, largely thanks to the McDavid‑Draisaitl‑Bouchard line, but the depth forward group remains a liability. When the three stars sit, Edmonton is outscored 17‑4 and its secondary scorers – Formenton, Joseph and Owen Michaels – are heavily negative. With injuries easing and players like Nugent‑Hopkins, Hyman and Dickinson returning, the article argues Babcock must reshuffle the lineup, perhaps reintegrating Isaac Howard alongside Nugent‑Hopkins, to spark offense beyond the top line. The piece questions whether Babcock’s current hesitation is costing the team and urges a tactical change to sustain the early success.
GDB 12.0: Oilers need much better effort vs. Red Wings (7:30 PM, SN+)
After a 7-2 loss to Toronto, the Edmonton Oilers aim to bounce back and improve their effort against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 26. Coach Mike Babcock criticizes the team's overall play, noting the bottom six were outmatched and five‑on‑five performance has slipped, with the Oilers being outshot 28-23. He suggests shuffling the struggling third line of Joseph, Michaels and Formenton. Meanwhile, the power play is clicking (8‑for‑14 since Zach Hyman returned) and Leon Draisaitl continues his six‑game goal streak, tying franchise records. Babcock stresses the need to outwork Detroit, a team that’s 4‑7 so far, to avoid a second consecutive loss.
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl named NHL’s first star of the week
Leon Draisaitl earns the NHL’s first star of the week for the Oct. 23‑25 stretch, tallying six goals and nine points in three Oilers wins and a loss. He posted a three‑game multi‑goal streak, netting two goals in a 4‑3 OT win over Minnesota, two goals and three assists in a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, and both goals in a 7‑2 defeat to an unspecified opponent. With 12 goals and 23 points in Edmonton’s first 11 games, Draisaitl ranks second in the league in both categories, trailing only Kirill Kaprizov. The other stars are Flames goalie Devin Cooley and Canadiens netminder Jacob Fowler.
Oilers Thoughts: Jarry’s bounce-back, steady Shea, bottom-six déjà vu and more
The Oilers sit 8-2-1 after 11 games despite losing a second line, a third‑line centre, and two goalies to injury. With Devon Levi out for weeks, starter Tristan Jarry must rebound from a rough 6‑goal, .806 SV% loss to Toronto, and the author hopes a Detroit matchup against a low‑ranked offense will help. Connor Murphy emerges as the new shot‑blocking leader with 28 blocks (10th in the NHL), while Ryan Shea steps onto the top defensive pairing, posting solid metrics in a 25:33 stint against the Leafs. The piece examines these replacements and stresses the bottom‑six’s need to step up as the Oilers chase a strong start.
Pre-Scout: Oilers seek rebound against Detroit Red Wings following lopsided loss
After a 7-2 drubbing by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Edmonton Oilers aim to bounce back against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 26, 2026. Coach Mike Babcock criticizes the bottom six and hints at lineup tweaks despite the team’s 8‑2‑1 record. Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins return from delayed starts, but injuries to Mattias Ekholm and goalie Devon Levi linger. The Oilers' strong first‑period hitting (42‑23) didn’t translate into offense, leaving McDavid, Draisaitl and Podkolzin shut down. Detroit, coming off a 4‑1 loss to Calgary, struggles with a 65.8% penalty‑kill and off‑ice drama, but rookie Michael Brandsegg‑Nygard shows promise. The matchup will test Edmonton’s ability to simplify play and regain momentum.
Monday Mailbag: Are the Oilers just a one line team again?
In this Monday Mailbag, Oilers Nation tackles the team's 5‑on‑5 woes and depth‑scoring concerns as Coach Mike Babcock leans heavily on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Fans ask about ideal line combinations, with suggestions ranging from a RNH‑McDavid‑Hyman pod to a shutdown line featuring Dickinson and Nugent‑Hopkins. The discussion also covers the hot start fueled by McDavid’s generational play, Isaac Howard’s limited minutes and impact, and upcoming home‑stand challenges. Contributors weigh injury‑related depth issues and the need for secondary scoring beyond the dynamic duo.
Sunday Scramble: Glass half-full or half-empty? Debating the Edmonton Oilers’ 8-2-1 start
The Oilers open the season 8‑2‑1, sitting second in NHL points percentage and tied for the Pacific lead, thanks to a blistering McDavid‑Draisaitl‑Bouchard line that’s outscored opponents 14‑1 at 5‑on‑5. Yet recent games reveal cracks: the team has been outshot 23‑20 and outscored 5‑1 in the last three outings, with depth players like Owen Michaels, Mathieu Joseph and Alex Formenton forced into larger roles amid injuries to Devon Levi and Mattias Ekholm. While the power play remains a 6‑for‑10 powerhouse, questions linger about the Oilers’ reliance on a single line and whether they can sustain success when that trio rests. The piece debates a half‑full optimism versus a half‑empty warning as the team navigates depth concerns.
Hot starts and early struggles: The NHL’s biggest surprises so far
The NHL’s first month of the 2026‑27 season has delivered unexpected twists. Boston surges to a 9‑2‑1 record, thanks to Jeremy Swayman’s .928 save percentage and balanced scoring from newcomers like JJ Peterka, while the Bruins lead the division despite modest star power. In stark contrast, the Philadelphia Flyers languish at 0‑5‑3, trailed by a single point despite a weaker schedule, as their offense sputters and shot differential plummets. Yet rookie Matvei Michkov shines, tying for team lead with ten points and eight goals, hinting at a breakout in his contract year. Other headlines include Igor Shesterkin’s goalie goal and season‑ending injury, Connor Hellebuyck’s trade, and Connor McDavid’s record‑setting start, making the early standings a roller‑coaster of surprises.
Ranking the best Edmonton Oilers jerseys of the last 20 years
The article ranks the Edmonton Oilers' most memorable jerseys from the past two decades, focusing on dark and special‑edition designs. It starts with the upcoming fourth jersey hinted by the cryptic "Oil Country After Midnight" tease, then dives into the list, highlighting the Reebok Edge navy‑blue/copper kit (2009), the controversial high‑visibility "Pumpkin" jerseys (2017‑22), and the well‑received navy‑blue/orange alternate that helped the team reach the 2022 Western Conference Finals. The author also notes design trends, like the need for white trim to break up dark colors, and previews possible black‑base, orange‑stripe options for the new Hometown Remix jersey. Readers get a concise history and the author’s criteria for ranking, helping decide if they want the full deep‑dive.
Like it or not it’s Tristan Jarry’s net now, the former Oilers curse, and Trent Frederic a healthy scratch
The Oilers’ three‑game winning streak ends with a 7‑2 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighting Tristan Jarry’s shaky start as the new starter after Devon Levi’s IR placement. Jarry posted a .800 save percentage in his fourth season start, unable to stop key odd‑man rush goals and a power‑play marker by William Nylander. Meanwhile, the “former Oiler curse” re‑emerges as ex‑Oilers Jack Roslovic, Troy Stecher and Anthony Stolarz each score or shine for Toronto, underscoring Edmonton’s defensive lapses and the urgency to regroup. Trent Frederic also sits as a healthy scratch heading into the next matchup.
Instant Reaction: Leafs continue dominance in Edmonton with 7-2 win
The Toronto Maple Leafs rout the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 on October 25, 2026, handing the Oilers only their second regulation loss (record drops to 8-2-1). Auston Matthews, Troy Stecher and William Nylander each score early, while Leon Draisaitl nets two for Edmonton and Connor McDavid adds two assists. Goal‑ie Tristan Jarry posts a shaky .800 save percentage, allowing six goals on 30 shots. Former Oilers Jack Roslovic and Troy Stecher spark the Leafs, with Stecher recording back‑to‑back goals for the first time in his career. The Oilers head next to Detroit on Monday.
How have the Oilers’ new additions performed through 10 games?
The Oilers’ off‑season overhaul is paying off as seven new players make an impact in the first ten games. Forward Mathieu Joseph, on a $1 million deal, has logged two goals and five points while bringing energy and penalty‑kill reliability, though his third‑line mates struggle at 5‑on‑5. Rookie goalie Devon Levi starts 7‑1‑0, improving his save percentage to .913 after a rough debut, but consistency remains a question. Defenseman Ryan Shea justifies his five‑year, $20 million contract, averaging 23 minutes, chipping in a goal and three points. Meanwhile, surprise‑call‑up Owen Michaels scores twice, posts four points and wins over 50% of his face‑offs, earning coach Babcock’s praise. With the team enjoying its best start in years, the newcomers are already shaping Edmonton’s resurgence.
Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry have been a big reason for the Oilers’ great start
Ten games into the 2026‑27 season, the Edmonton Oilers sit 8‑1‑1 thanks largely to a surprising goaltending tandem of Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry. Levi posts a .887 save percentage and Jarry a .873, but together they’ve recorded a combined .918 save percentage over their last eight outings, allowing just 18 goals on 193 shots. Highlights include Levi’s 29‑of‑31 stop performance against Anaheim on Oct. 7 and a 39‑of‑40 showing the next night, while both netminders have begun to “steal” games in a league where the average save percentage sits at .892. Though early and not yet sustainable, this is the strongest Oilers crease duo of the McDavid/Draisaitl era.
GDB 11.0: Oilers get their first look at Gavin McKenna and the Maple Leafs (5 PM MT, SNW)
The Oilers host the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at 5 PM MT, promising a high‑octane showdown after back‑to‑back emotional wins over Minnesota and Carolina. Edmonton enters with a 46‑goal offense in 10 games (4.60 per game), driven by Connor McDavid’s 31 points, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, while Toronto sits 6‑4‑2 with 43 goals (3.58 per game). Key injuries loom: Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins returns, but Mattias Ekholm is out for a week. Power‑play dynamics could decide the game—Edmonton’s PP is 35.3% versus Toronto’s 97.4% PK, while Toronto’s PP sits at 28.6% against Edmonton’s 72.4% PK. The article previews tactics and health concerns ahead of the clash.
Oilers injury update: Devon Levi out ‘a few weeks,’ Dickinson getting closer
The Oilers lose backup goalie Devon Levi for a few weeks after an undisclosed injury, despite a strong 6-1 start (3.11 GAA, .887 SV%). Matt Tomkins is recalled from the Bakersfield Condors, while Tristan Jarry takes the bulk of starts (2.97 GAA, .873 SV%). Defenseman Mattias Ekholm also misses the next three home games, though he returns for the upcoming road trip, leaving a plus‑15 rating atop the NHL. Rookie Shakir Mukhamadullin re‑enters the lineup, and forward Jason Dickinson edges closer to a return after his ankle issue, last seen on Oct. 13 vs. LA. The update, sourced from Jason Gregor and coach Mike Babcock, outlines short‑term roster moves ahead of the Oilers’ east‑bound road swing.
‘The culture was really good’: Jack Roslovic reflects on Oilers tenure ahead of Maple Leafs matchup
Jack Roslovic, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs on a two‑year, $4 million AAV deal, faces a revenge week against his former clubs. He posted a goal and three points vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday and tallied an assist against the New York Rangers Thursday. Tonight he meets the Edmonton Oilers, where he spent 69 games last season, scoring 21 goals and 36 points. Roslovic praises the Oilers’ culture and work ethic, especially admiring Connor McDavid’s impact, and notes his early success in Toronto with four goals and ten points in his first ten games alongside Auston Matthews.
Oilers coach Mike Babcock reflects on time in Toronto: ‘It’s about 100 years ago…even the Beatles broke up’
Ahead of the Oilers’ showdown with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 14, former Leafs coach Mike Babcock reflects on his 2015‑19 tenure. He jokes that "even the Beatles broke up" while recalling his work with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander, admitting the team never delivered in the playoffs. Babcock also praises former assistant Jim Hiller, now the Leafs’ head coach, and emphasizes his focus on winning today with an Oilers squad that leads the NHL in points percentage behind Connor McDavid. The article previews the personal storyline behind the high‑stakes matchup.
Pre-Scout: New injuries, Babcock reunion tests Oilers in national spotlight vs. Leafs
The Oilers host the Maple Leafs on Oct. 24, bringing a stacked slate of storylines: Connor McDavid’s 31‑point 10‑game start versus Auston Matthews, Mike Babcock’s first clash with his former team and protégée Jim Hiller, and a pivotal power‑play showdown against Toronto’s league‑best penalty kill (37‑for‑38). Edmonton deals with injuries to goalie Devon Levi and defenseman Mattias Ekholm, while Tristan Jarry is slated to start and Shakir Mukhamadullin fills in on defense. Both clubs ride three‑game winning streaks, with the Oilers’ power play humming at 35% after recent 6‑for‑10 success. Coach Babcock hints at potential lineup tweaks ahead of the nationally‑watched game.
ONR: Connor McDavid’s heater, the Oilers are rolling, and Mattias Ekholm’s injury
The latest ONR podcast recaps Edmonton’s 6‑5 shootout win over Carolina, highlighting Connor McDavid’s scorching point streak and bold predictions for his Christmas‑break totals. Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins returns with a goal, an assist and the shootout clincher, while Mattias Ekholm’s injury could sideline him for a week. The hosts also break down Saturday’s showdown with Toronto, lineup combos, and betting angles. With the Oilers rolling through the first month of the 2026‑27 season, the episode offers fresh analysis and fan‑driven heat for any Oilers enthusiast.
Flashback Friday: Reassessing the Oilers trade that sent Glenn Anderson and Grant Fuhr to the Maple Leafs
Flashback Friday revisits the Sept. 19, 1991 trade that sent Edmonton Oilers stalwarts Glenn Anderson and Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr to Toronto for Vincent Damphousse, Peter Ing, Luke Richardson, Scott Thornton, cash and future considerations. The piece traces how the move marked the unofficial end of the Oilers’ ’84‑’90 dynasty, noting Anderson’s subsequent 24‑22‑goal seasons, a 1994 Cup with New York, and his 2008 Hall of Fame induction, while Fuhr’s 10‑year career continued into the 2000‑01 season before his 2003 Hall of Fame entry. It also evaluates what Edmonton got back—Damphousse’s 38‑goal, 89‑point breakout before his 1993 Canadiens Cup, plus peripheral players like Shayne Corson—concluding that Damphousse was the trade’s true asset.
Oilers place Devon Levi on injured reserve, recall Matt Tomkins
The Edmonton Oilers place rookie goalie Devon Levi on injured reserve for a minimum of seven days, leaving him out after a 6‑1 start (3.11 GAA, .887 SV%). To fill the gap, the Oilers recall Matt Tomkins from the Bakersfield Condors, while Tristan Jarry steps into the starting role, having posted a 2.97 GAA and .873 SV% in recent wins over the Sharks and Utah Mammoth. The team heads into a road swing with games against Toronto, Detroit, Calgary, the Islanders, Rangers and Devils, while defenseman Mattias Ekholm also faces a short‑term injury.
NHL Notebook: Devils acquire Connor Hellebuyck in blockbuster trade with Jets
The Winnipeg Jets trade Hart‑Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, ending his off‑season trade saga. In return, the Jets receive forward Dawson Mercer, prospect Alexander Command, goalie Nico Daws, former Oilers centreman Nick Bjugstad and two draft picks, including New Jersey’s 2029 second‑rounder. Hellebuyck, 33, boasts a .916 SV% and three Vezina, a Hart and two Jennings titles in 625 games. Mercer brings 20‑goal scoring potential and a 2026 first‑round pick (12th overall). The article also notes Nick Suzuki’s iron‑man streak ending with an upper‑body injury and former Oiler Vincent Desharnais missing 4‑6 weeks after an appendectomy.
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