Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Edmonton Oilers were a consensus favourite to contend for the Stanley Cup. Oddsmakers gave the Oilers the shortest odds to win it all this time around after falling just short against the Florida Panthers a season ago.

The top of the Oilers lineup — starting with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — has always been of championship quality; denying this two-headed monster over a seven-game series has proven extraordinarily difficult for any Western Conference foe. But performance gains from the rest of the lineup, coupled with decent goaltending, solidified the team as one of the league’s best last season.

Fast forward 10 months and there are as many questions as answers about this Oilers team. The dynamic offence is still there, but Edmonton by and large floated through the regular season, finishing third in the Pacific Division.

The goaltending has been underwhelming, injuries have mounted, and now the Oilers are staring down........

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