{"id":579601,"date":"2026-04-03T12:56:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/579601\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:56:08","slug":"battle-tested-edmonton-oilers-buying-in-as-stanley-cup-playoffs-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/579601\/","title":{"rendered":"Battle-tested Edmonton Oilers ‘buying in’ as Stanley Cup playoffs approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

EDMONTON \u2014 With trips to the last two Stanley Cup finals to their credit, the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> seem to know when to ramp up their game.<\/p>\n

Matthew Savoie scored the winner as the Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 3-1 for their season-high fifth victory in a row Thursday.<\/p>\n

Edmonton tied Anaheim for top spot in the Pacific Division with 87 points, looking to win its first divisional title since 1987 \u2014 the longest drought in NHL history.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody just kind of ramped it up with it being close to playoff time and we\u2019re still jostling for a spot and positioning. These games matter and we\u2019re dug in,\u201d said Oilers captain Connor McDavid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust putting the \u2018X\u2019 beside our name is the main thing, just getting in, that\u2019s our main focus. Where we\u2019re seeded, I\u2019m not too concerned about it. We can start a series on the road, we can start a series at home, we\u2019re pretty comfortable either way. We just have to get in.\u201d<\/p>\n

McDavid saw his goal-scoring streak end at five games, but picked up an assist to extend his point streak to six games, totalling 11 during that stretch. He\u2019s two points ahead of Tampa\u2019s Nikita Kucherov<\/a> for the NHL scoring lead with 126 on the season.<\/p>\n

Adam Henrique<\/a> and Vasily Podkolzin<\/a> also scored for the Oilers (39-28-9), who have won seven of their last nine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe past few weeks we\u2019re really buying in,\u201d said rookie forward Savoie, who has four goals in his last five games and 14 points in his last 18. \u201cWe know how important this time of year is and the push we have to make to make the playoffs and give ourselves a really good spot in the seedings.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuys know how big a time a year it is and guys are digging in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton is now 29-5-5 when scoring first.<\/p>\n

The Oilers are on a strong run even without star forward Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, out for the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a team game, top to bottom. Missing Leon, nobody\u2019s going to fill that in, we\u2019ve got to do that as a group,\u201d said Henrique. \u201cIt\u2019s been a complete effort top to bottom, every line, special teams and in net getting big saves at key times when we need it. It really has been a team effort on this streak and it\u2019s something we need here to the end and obviously through playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henrique\u2019s goal was his third of the season and first goal in 50 games, dating all the way back to Oct. 23.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a forward, I\u2019m sure he has the most blocked shots per minute,\u201d said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch of Henrique\u2019s value to the team. \u201cHe had two or three tonight. He\u2019s been snake-bitten, not being able to score goals. Nice to see him score. Everybody was excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knoblauch said he is pleased with the way the team is playing of late, but doesn\u2019t think trying to end the 40-year drought without a divisional title is top of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was long before any of these guys were born. It would make it a little extra special, but right now, as boring as it is, we\u2019re looking at the here and now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s absolutely necessary. Be nice to finish first and put a banner up next fall, but this team, whether at home or road, it responds well. If we get into a Game 7, maybe it would be (important), but we\u2019re just trying to play as well as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tristan Jarry<\/a> recorded 17 saves to earn the win for Edmonton.<\/p>\n

The Blackhawks (27-35-14) were eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth straight season with a fifth consecutive loss.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

Shane Jones, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

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