“That Shouldn’t Be Possible”, Insider on Oilers Unexpected Offensive Stat

As the Edmonton Oilers continue to struggle through the opening of the 2025-26 season, with their current road trip creating warning signs everywhere, one NHL insider pointed out a stat that seems almost too wild to believe.

Elliotte Friedman noted in his recent 32 Thoughts column, “Per Natural Stat Trick, the Oilers had nine five-on-five rush attempts in their first 21 games. That shouldn’t be possible.”

If you’re new to hockey or analytics, what Friedman is pointing out is that the Oilers, across 21 games, created only nine even-strength rush attempts (when a team attacks quickly off the rush). This means, they rarely, if ever, grab the puck and charge up the ice with speed to create a scoring chance before the other team is set up defensively.

Think of it like a fast break in basketball.

The reason this is so hard to believe is that a team with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on it— two of the best rush attackers in the world — creating only nine rush chances in 21 games is unbelievably low. Many elite offensive teams (which the Oilers have been for several seasons now) often get 5–10 in a single night.

The Oilers’ 5-on-5 offense has been awful this season. It’s slow, predictable, and not generating quick-strike chances — which is normally their biggest strength.

When Do the Oilers Need to Start Worrying?

Sam Cosentino joined the FAN Hockey Show to discuss the Edmonton Oilers’ struggles to start the season wasn’t prepared to hit the panic button. He was giving them until December 1 to turn things around. If not, there should be real reason for concern.

Given their track record over the last few years, the Oilers could go on a run. That said, they need to find the components of their game that have made them so successful over the past few seasons. This stat related to rush chances is not a good sign.

Next: Speculation Swirls Again as Coffey’s Name Reenters the Oilers Conversation