Edmonton Spoilers: the art of ruining it for everyone else (ARCHIVED POST)

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED POST FROM MARCH 15th, 2018, ON MY PERSONAL SITE

The Edmonton Oilers are not playing hockey this season beyond April 8th, when they host the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place. This is, unfortunately, a given.

But hey, it doesn't mean there aren't certain games that they shouldn't try and win, if only to spread the misery around a little for those teams who still have the faintest of hopes. Looking at the coming schedule, there are a few teams that cannot afford to leave points on the table. Here are some games where the Oilers can do some real damage:

Florida Panthers (Saturday, March 17th, 2018, 12:00 PM)

Points back for wild card: 4

Points back for divisional spot: 14

Games to play: 15

Remaining schedule: Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa (2x), Columbus, Arizona, New York Islanders, Toronto, Boston (3x), Carolina, Nashville, and Buffalo

The Panthers currently occupy the first non-playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and are relying solely on a wild card position for an opportunity to make the dance. The fact that Florida is this close at all is a small miracle in itself, as the team was sitting on 46 points on January 31st, ten back of the closest wild card position, before a huge surge on the back of Roberto Luongo, who missed extended periods of time due to injury. Overall, they have a schedule that leans on the lighter side, save for the Predators (9-0-1 in their last 10GP) and three massive games against the Bruins (7-3-0 last 10GP). They have no room for error, needing 20 of a possible 30 points in order to get to 95 points, which is the average cutoff for teams looking for a post-season chance.

Carolina Hurricanes (Tuesday, March 20th, 2018, 5:00 PM)

Points back for wild card: 8

Points back for divisional spot: 10

Games to play: 12

Remaining schedule: Philadelphia (2x), New York Islanders, Edmonton, Arizona, Ottawa (2x), New Jersey, Washington, New York Rangers, Florida, and Tampa Bay

A team with a much lower chance than Florida, the Hurricanes might need divine intervention if they want a shot at games in late April. With time running out, they have some crucial match-ups ahead of them, including against fellow wild card hunters New Jersey and Florida. Much like the Panthers, they also have the majority of games against generally lower-ranked teams, but even some bottom feeders can get hot (Arizona, for example, has gone 6-3-1 in their last 10GP and are currently playing their way to worse odds come lottery day). Overall, I don't expect Carolina to come even close, but stranger things have happened.

Los Angeles Kings (Saturday, March 24th, 2018, 8:00 PM)

Points ahead of first non-playoff team: 0

Points ahead of 4th in division: 0

Games to play: 12

Remaining schedule: Detroit, New Jersey, Minnesota (2x), Winnipeg, Colorado (2x), Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona, Anaheim, and Dallas

Here's where things start getting interesting. Unlike the two teams above, Los Angeles is trying to fend off other teams rather than chase them, although they have zero wiggle room as it stands, being tied with Anaheim at 82 points. Any kind of loss can set up massive panic in LA, and they aren't looking at an easy schedule ahead, with nearly all of their opponents needing a win just as much as they do (Colorado, Dallas, Calgary, and Anaheim, to be precise). A victory for the blue and orange here can be detrimental.

Anaheim Ducks (Sunday, March 25th, 2018, 7:30 PM)

Points back for wild card: 0

Points back for divisional spot: 0

Games to play: 11

Remaining schedule: Detroit, New Jersey, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas, Arizona

Meet the thorn in the side of the Los Angeles Kings (and many others, to be honest). The Ducks have an extremely similar schedule to Los Angeles, save for a game against the Canucks (who haven't scored in three straight games) and only playing Minnesota and Colorado once. Once again, a win from McDavid and Co. poses serious problems, especially if Edmonton loses to Los Angeles and takes two points from Anaheim. The squad from Orange County will need all the help they can get from those outside the playoff picture if they don't want to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season, add in the wrinkle that a tie breaker would go to the Kings.

Columbus Blue Jackets (Tuesday, March 27th, 2018, 7:00 PM)

Points ahead of first non-playoff team: 4

Points ahead of 6th in division: 8

Games to play: 12

Remaining schedule: Philadelphia, Ottawa, Boston, New York Rangers, Florida, St. Louis, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Nashville.

While they have no worries coming from their own division (barring a miracle run by the Hurricanes), Columbus has trouble coming from another Eastern Conference counterpart in Florida, who they get to play once before season's end. Their schedule doesn't let up too often, mixing games against non-factors such as Detroit and Vancouver with games against the two former Stanley Cup finalists in Pittsburgh and Nashville to end the regular season. The pressure is on to bank points where they can, although doing so against Edmonton might not be so easy if the first meeting of the season is any indication, a 7-2 thrashing in Ohio that led to Sergei Bobrovsky getting pulled after allowing five goals on 26 shots.

Calgary Flames (Saturday, March 31st, 2018, 8:00 PM)

Points back for wild card: 2

Points back for divisional spot: 2

Games to play: 11

Remaining schedule: San Jose (2x), Vegas (2x), Arizona (2x), Anaheim, Los Angeles, Columbus, Edmonton, and Winnipeg

Here we are at the game most Oilers fans have circled on the calendar. The Flames sit precariously in the 5th spot in the Pacific division, and their schedule lets them control their own destiny, with nine out of their remaining eleven games to be played against divisional opponents, including two against division-leading Vegas. Against the Oilers they haven't fared well the last two seasons, winning only one game (keeping in mind it was the most recent meeting, a close 1-0 decision at the Saddledome on March 13th). Depending on how they play leading up to the final day of the month, Edmonton may get a chance to lay the dagger in them, a prospect I'm sure players and fans alike in Edmonton are salivating at; those who have been waiting for a Battle of Alberta to finally carry significant weight will be rewarded at last.

Minnesota Wild (Monday, April 2nd, 2018, 6:00 PM)

Points ahead of first non playoff team: 3

Points ahead of 4th in division: 2

Games to play: 12

Remaining schedule: Vegas, Arizona, Los Angeles (2x), Nashville (2x), Boston, Dallas (2x), Edmonton, Anaheim, and San Jose

A team that not many are aware is in danger is Minnesota, although their chances are much better than others barring a monumental collapse in the final month of the season. If they do manage to fall from such heights, Edmonton will surely have a hand in it. I don't anticipate them having that bad of a final stretch, but I will include them here as a team to be aware of. I anticipate they have the same chances of failing to qualify as Carolina does to squeeze in.

So, there you have it. If the Oilers have a knack for anyting, it's spreading around the disappointment, whether it be through crushing the dreams of their fans, killing the playoff hopes of others, or winning draft lotteries. If I had to make a prediction, I would say Florida completes their mid-season comeback and just edges Columbus for the final wild card spot, while the West remains as is, with Anaheim and Calgary remaining as the odd ones out as the season concludes.