Something about the Colorado Avalanche has the Edmonton Oilers rethinking their future

The Oilers spent the early part of the season outside the playoff picture, struggling with save percentage and defensive metrics, and ultimately made a change in goal by trading for Tristan Jarry and adding Connor Ingram. That move mirrors the Avalanche's midseason pivot when they acquired MacKenzie Blackwood to steady the crease.

Gordon Munro from Oil On Whyte writes that Edmonton's record has ticked past mediocrity, and if the recent 5-2 run continues it projects toward a 100-point pace, much like Colorado's 49-29-4 campaign that anchored them third in the Central Division last year.

That Colorado club went from struggling in the standings to a top-10 defensive team by year's end, and even though they lost in the first round of the playoffs, the turnaround is a blueprint the Oilers are eager to follow rather than rewrite.

Edmonton's stars remain elite, and with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl driving the offense, they've shown they can outscore early season lapses and push past slow starts that once sunk them.

Some Oilers fans have jokingly called this season "Avs 2.0" because the narrative arc, early stink, goaltending woe, midseason shakeup, tracks so closely to Colorado's. The hope now isn't just making the playoffs, it's peaking at the right time.

McDavid's line has been consistent and elite, and Jarry's numbers have stabilized Edmonton's goals allowed, giving both the forwards and defense more confidence to stick to structure rather than panic. If Edmonton can suppress quality chances against, the parallel to Colorado becomes more than a storyline.

This isn't to say the Oilers are carbon copies of the Avalanche; different rosters, different defensive cores, and Colorado's depth down the middle gave them a tactical edge a year ago. But the underlying idea, fix what's broken, lean into your strengths, and let your horsepower carry you, is the direct lesson Edmonton is trying to learn.

The Avalanche continue to roll themselves in 2025-26 with a strong division lead and high-octane offense, giving McDavid's squad an aspirational target within the same conference.
StatMuse

For Oilers fans, seeing Edmonton climb the standings while tightening the ship feels like a long overdue moment. The next big test is consistency, and if they can emulate Colorado's late-season resolve, the Pacific might be theirs to fight for.