Oilers Say They’re Ready For Run At Playoffs
05/10/2008 02:18
EDMONTON - With a cadre of young guns, a revamped defence, a new general manager and a new owner, the Edmonton Oilers are determined that the final chapter of this NHL season will include a trip to the post-season.
That's not so tall a tale even for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since it caught lightning - and Chris Pronger - in a bottle and marched to the 2006 Stanley Cup finals.
"We're confident that we're a good team and have the potential to be really good, but as of right now we have a lot of work to do," said centre Andrew Cogliano.
"We're not going to just be able to step on the ice and win games," added forward Fernando Pisani.
"We have to put the work ethic in, and play hard and win those one-on-one battles and do the little things well."
Last season, the Oilers battled through a team-record injury total (346 man-games lost) to turn on the jets in the last quarter and finish with 88 points, ninth in the Western Conference but three points out of the playoffs.
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SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Let’s hope the Oilers’ pre-season record is not indicative of their start to the season. They have only recorded one win so far in six pre-season starts. And, while the pre-season record may not reflect what will happen in the regular season, with 12 of their first 15 games away from Rexall Place, another slow start for the Oilers could mean they’re, once again, behind the eight ball and playing “catch up” the entire season. Let’ hope not.