The Edmonton Oilers' dramatic fall from Stanley Cup contenders to one of the NHL's weakest teams has become the shocking story of the 2025 season. As of November 21, 2025, the team finds itself in an unprecedented position of struggle that has left fans and analysts questioning what happened to last year's championship-caliber squad.
Alarming Performance Metrics
The statistics paint a bleak picture for the Oilers. With just four regulation victories this season, Edmonton finds itself in a four-way tie for last place in the entire league. While the team has managed five overtime wins, this provides little consolation given their overall performance. The Oilers' current record puts them in direct comparison with the San Jose Sharks, who also have four regulation wins and five overtime victories.
Both teams sit at 23 points in the standings, though the Sharks hold two games in hand. This comparison is particularly damning for an Oilers team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in the previous two seasons.
Defensive Collapse Reaches Historic Proportions
Perhaps the most concerning statistic is the team's defensive performance. The Oilers have surrendered a league-high 84 goals through their first games, putting them on pace to allow approximately 300 goals for the season. This represents a catastrophic decline for a team that was competing for hockey's ultimate prize just months ago.
The defensive struggles highlight a complete reversal of fortune for the Oilers. Last season, only the San Jose Sharks reached the 300-goals-against mark, allowing 315. However, while San Jose appears to be rebuilding upward, the Oilers are experiencing a rapid descent that few could have predicted.
The Silver Lining: At Least We're Not Calgary
In what might be the only positive takeaway for Oilers fans, the situation in Calgary is even more dire. The Flames have managed just six wins in their first 24 games with a record of 6-13-5. Still, even Calgary's struggling squad can claim five regulation wins, one more than Edmonton has managed.
The Oilers currently sit in a three-way tie for 10th place in the Western Conference, while last year's Stanley Cup opponents, the Florida Panthers, are struggling in their own right, sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
This collective decline of recent championship contenders adds another layer to the Oilers' surprising collapse, suggesting broader shifts in the NHL landscape that have left last season's top teams scrambling to find their footing.
