{"id":132158,"date":"2022-09-20T09:15:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T13:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=132158"},"modified":"2022-09-20T09:51:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T13:51:57","slug":"puck-drop-preview-2022-23-edmonton-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/09\/20\/puck-drop-preview-2022-23-edmonton-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"Puck Drop Preview: 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to our latest series here at Last Word on Hockey. The\u00a0Puck Drop Preview<\/a> series takes you through each team as the season is fast approaching. The preview will focus on the narratives surrounding the team ending last year, during the offseason, and heading into the 2021-22 season. Puck Drop Preview also focuses on what the season has in store for each team from a roster and expectations perspective. Join us, as we look at all 32 teams before the season starts. Today, we take a look at the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers.<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2022-23 Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n

2021-22 Season<\/h3>\n

The 2021-22 season was nothing short of great for the Edmonton Oilers. The road to get there was a bit up and down, but the end result was finally a performance worthy of respect. After two consecutive years of first round playoff exits, the Oilers took a major next step and made it to the Western Conference Finals.<\/p>\n

Although the team was ultimately swept<\/a> by the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, the loss wasn’t entirely deflating. The Avalanche went on to win the Stanley Cup and the Oilers were competitive enough (despite the four-game sweep) to see what they were missing against the best team in the league.<\/p>\n

The 2021-22 season was easily the best season in Edmonton since 2006 and it’s left the organization hungry for more.<\/p>\n

A New Bench Boss<\/h3>\n

The 2021-22 regular season wasn’t all roses. After starting the season on a wicked pace, the Oilers seriously struggled in the depths of winter. At one point in early February, the team was multiple points out of a playoff spot. Injuries had mounted, Dave Tippett<\/a> was struggling to innovate, and the team was spiraling.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>