The Edmonton Oilers: A Journey to Their Third Western Conference Final in Four Years
The Edmonton Oilers are headed to their third Western Conference Final in the past four years, marking a significant achievement for a franchise that, only a few years ago, was in the midst of one of the most challenging eras in its history. With the 2024-25 season drawing to a close, the Oilers’ resurgence under head coach Jay Woodcroft has turned into a thrilling success story, captivating fans in Edmonton and across the NHL. For a team that has experienced its fair share of ups and downs in recent decades, this achievement represents both a culmination of years of development and a promise of even more to come.
As they prepare to face off against their conference rivals in the Western Conference Final, let’s look back at the story behind this exciting journey to the precipice of glory. From their early struggles to their current dominance, the Oilers’ rise back to the NHL’s elite ranks is a tale of talent, resilience, and determination.
The Edmonton Oilers, once a dynasty in the 1980s, experienced a lengthy period of struggle following the departures of legendary figures like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. After several years of mediocrity, the team began its most significant rebuild in the 2000s, but the process was long and filled with setbacks. From the painful years of missing the playoffs to the numerous first-round eliminations, the Oilers were often the punchline of NHL jokes. However, the team’s fortunes started to change when they landed two key figures—Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The Oilers secured McDavid, the consensus best player in the world, during the 2015 NHL Draft. His combination of speed, skill, and vision was a game-changer for the franchise, giving them a true centerpiece to build around. With McDavid now in the fold, the team had its superstar, but they still needed more to truly compete at the highest level. Enter Leon Draisaitl, McDavid’s sidekick and arguably one of the most talented forwards in the game. While the two were exceptional on their own, their partnership became one of the most lethal duos in modern hockey history.
In the 2016-17 season, the Oilers took their first major step forward under McDavid’s leadership, making the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Despite their eventual elimination in the second round, the Oilers showed signs of promise, fueled by their young stars. It was clear that they were on the rise, but more pieces were still needed for the team to become a true contender.
As the 2021-2022 season began, the Oilers were fresh off a coaching change, having fired head coach Dave Tippett and replaced him with Jay Woodcroft midway through the year. Under Woodcroft, the Oilers immediately began to play more effectively, getting the most out of their star players while implementing a more aggressive, up-tempo style of play. By the end of the regular season, they had earned a spot in the playoffs for the third straight year, setting the stage for another postseason run.
That year, the Oilers were led by McDavid and Draisaitl, who were both coming off career seasons, and the duo’s dominance carried the team through the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the first round, they defeated the Los Angeles Kings in a thrilling seven-game series. The Oilers’ offensive firepower, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, was on full display, as the duo combined for an impressive 24 points in the series.
The second round was an even bigger test, as the Oilers faced off against the Calgary Flames in the Alberta Battle. The rivalry between the two teams added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, and the series did not disappoint. In the end, the Oilers outlasted the Flames in five games, with McDavid and Draisaitl continuing their stellar performances. The Oilers were on their way to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006.
However, their journey ended in heartbreak, as they were eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in four games. Despite their strong play, the Oilers couldn’t match the depth and dominance of the Avalanche, who went on to win the Stanley Cup. Still, the Oilers had proven they were close, and their progression in such a short period gave fans reason to believe that their time was coming.
In the 2022-2023 season, the Oilers once again found themselves among the league’s elite teams, buoyed by the continued excellence of McDavid and Draisaitl. The team finished the regular season with a 50-23-9 record, earning the second seed in the Western Conference. Despite some early struggles in the postseason, they once again displayed their resilience. The Oilers advanced to the second round, where they met the Vegas Golden Knights.
The series against Vegas proved to be a hard-fought battle, with the Oilers pushing the Golden Knights to seven games. In the end, however, the Oilers were eliminated, once again falling short of their ultimate goal. Even though they came up short, there was a sense that the Oilers were poised to break through and finally reach the summit of the Western Conference.
Heading into the 2024-2025 season, the Oilers were riding a wave of momentum. The roster had been bolstered by the addition of key players such as defenseman Mattias Ekholm and goaltender Jack Campbell, who was expected to provide more stability in net. The Oilers’ core of McDavid and Draisaitl remained intact, and both were entering their prime years, which gave the team a strong foundation to build on.
The 2024-2025 regular season was another step forward for the team, as they finished with a 52-26-4 record, securing a spot in the playoffs once again. This time, however, the team was more balanced and better prepared for the grind of the postseason. The acquisition of Ekholm helped solidify the defense, and Campbell’s improved play between the pipes gave the team confidence that they could make a deep run.
The Oilers’ offensive juggernaut remained at the top of the league, with McDavid and Draisaitl once again posting incredible numbers. McDavid finished the regular season with 135 points, and Draisaitl added 120 points, both finishing in the top five in league scoring. Their production was complemented by the steady play of veterans like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, and the defensive corps, led by Ekholm, provided much-needed stability.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers faced a tough test against the Minnesota Wild. Despite the Wild’s solid defense and goaltending, the Oilers’ offense proved too much to handle. The series was a back-and-forth battle, but in the end, the Oilers emerged victorious, winning the series 4-2. McDavid and Draisaitl were once again the driving forces, combining for 18 points in the six-game series.
In the second round, the Oilers found themselves facing the Seattle Kraken, a team that had shocked many by advancing to the second round in only their second season in the league. The Kraken’s defense and team-oriented play were tough, but the Oilers’ top-end talent proved to be the difference. McDavid, Draisaitl, and the rest of the team stepped up, leading the Oilers to a dominant 4-1 series victory.
With a spot in the Western Conference Final secured, the Oilers were ready to face their toughest test yet. The team’s depth, talent, and leadership all came together at the perfect time, and their confidence was at an all-time high.
The Oilers’ journey to the 2024-2025 Western Conference Final has been a testament to the evolution of the team, both on and off the ice. The squad is more well-rounded than ever before, and their blend of elite skill and grit has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
McDavid and Draisaitl have continued to redefine what it means to be elite in the NHL, breaking records and leading by example. Both players have proven to be capable of carrying their team when needed, but the Oilers’ success has been about more than just their stars. The development of players like Evan Bouchard, the steady leadership of captain Connor McDavid, and the contributions from secondary players like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman have all been vital in pushing the team toward this moment.
The Oilers’ defense, bolstered by Ekholm’s leadership and the solid goaltending of Campbell, has helped stabilize a unit that was once a weak point. The addition of Ekholm in particular gave the team a shutdown defenseman capable of playing top-pair minutes against the league’s best forwards. Meanwhile, Campbell, who has struggled in the past, has found his form at the right time, providing the Oilers with the goaltending they need to make a deep run.
As the team now heads into the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years, the excitement is palpable. The Oilers are no longer a team in development; they are bona fide contenders for the Stanley Cup. While the challenges ahead will be significant, the Oilers’ stars have proven they are more than capable of rising to the occasion.
Looking forward, the Oilers’ future is incredibly bright. With McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge, the franchise has the foundation for sustained success. The combination of elite skill and developing depth makes them one of the most well-rounded teams in the NHL, and with a little more luck on the injury front and the right pieces in place, this team could be poised for multiple deep runs in the coming seasons.
However, as the Oilers prepare for their third Western Conference Final in four years, they know that success is never guaranteed. The road to the Stanley Cup remains long and difficult, but for the first time in a long while, Edmonton fans can dream of a championship on the horizon.