The Edmonton Oilers are second in the Pacific Division, and they have Leon Draisaitl to thank for that. While their 27-13-3 record through 43 games was largely expected, how they got there has been somewhat surprising.

It was hard-nosed blueliner Darnell Nurse who picked up the primary assist. His contribution was being ready to take a Draisaitl pass, and blast a solid attempt on net but have it stopped by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Instead, it was Draisaitl who did all the work to make this four-on-four goal happen.

Draisaitl posted an assist and four shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild. Draisaitl has two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak. The 29-year-old forward set up Zach Hyman's tally in the first period.

Here are the report cards for the first half Oilers in 2024-25.

Draisaitl is expected to be a core piece for the Oilers for the foreseeable future. He signed an eight-year, $112 million contract ($14 million average annual value) starting next season and is currently in the final season of an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) signed prior to the 2017-2018 season.

Zach Hyman scored a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3

Quinn Hughes scored two power-play goals and the struggling Vancouver Canucks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2. Danton Heinen also scored and J.T.

Thanks to Schenn’s two goals, Kyrou’s goal of his own and Holloway’s pair of assists, the line combined for five points in another important win over Calgary on Thursday night.

Evan Bouchard scored the winning goal late in the third period, capping the Edmonton Oilers’ rally from a three-goal deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in Denver on Thursday night. Bouchard also had an assist,

Evan Bouchard scored the winning goal late in the third period, capping the Edmonton Oilers' rally from a three-goal deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in Denver on Thursday night.

The top unit of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evan Bouchard, and Zach Hyman are still spearheading a sharp unit as the Oilers rank No. 8 overall in power-play efficiency, but they ended last season at No. 4.

Vasily Podkolzin scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3 for their seventh win in eight games.