The Edmonton Oilers are starting their first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. From the very start, it seems like Edmonton has a big advantage in this matchup.
Connor McDavid had an amazing regular season, scoring 138 points in 82 games, which includes 48 goals and 90 assists, while having a +17 rating.
In just his last 10 games, he racked up 20 points. He isn’t just getting better; he’s already performing at a high level.
Evan Bouchard contributed 95 points as a defenseman, finishing the season with a +25 rating and adding 13 points in his last 10 games.
This duo can be very dangerous, not only during even play but also when they have a power play.
The Oilers wrapped up the regular season with a record of 6 wins, 2 losses, and 2 overtime losses over their last 10 games, including a strong 6-1 victory against Vancouver on Wednesday. Kris Knoblauch’s team is heading into the playoffs full of confidence.
The youth of Anaheim can’t hide their tough finish.
The Edmonton Oilers enter the playoffs after finishing second in the Pacific Division.
They have not won their division since the 1986-87 season and the 38-season drought is the longest in NHL history.
Since that season, the Oilers:
🏒 Won 2 Stanley Cups
🏒 Made 5… pic.twitter.com/a7QjxdSZLl— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 17, 2026
The Ducks ended their last 10 games with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties. They allowed 287 goals this season, scoring only 273.
That -14 goal difference is a tough number, especially when mistakes can be costly in playoff hockey.
Joel Quenneville has some good players to work with. Cutter Gauthier scored 41 goals in 76 games and was really hot toward the end, scoring 7 goals in his last 10 games.
Leo Carlsson scored 67 points at the age of 21. Beckett Sennecke participated in all 82 games and achieved 60 points as a 20-year-old. These young players are truly impressive.
However, having great young forwards and winning in the playoffs are two different challenges. Anaheim’s away score of 19-20-2 is an issue when they need to go to Honda Center for Games 3 and 4.
Edmonton’s record of 22-14-5 at Rogers Place gives them a real home advantage to kick off the series.
During the regular season, the Oilers faced the Ducks three times, finishing with a 2-1 record. They beat the Ducks at home 7-4 in January and again 4-2 at home in March. Anaheim’s single victory was 6-5 at their place in February.
This pattern is important. Edmonton has control over this match when they’re at home.
The goaltending stats tell a similar story. Connor Ingram had a . 898 save percentage in 32 games for the Oilers. Lukas Dostal ended with a . 888 save percentage in 56 games for Anaheim.
There isn’t a huge difference. But in a series of five games, every point in save percentage counts even more.
Zach Hyman netted 31 goals in 58 games. Vasily Podkolzin contributed 5 game-winning goals during the season. Matthew Savoie added 5 more.
Edmonton’s forward lineup has more depth than Anaheim can match right now.
The Ducks will grab a win at home, thanks to Gauthier. Still, the Oilers will take the series in five games, and it won’t seem very close at the end.
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