Even a pointless game is important as the Edmonton Oilers prepare for the playoffs.
The Edmonton Oilers are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). From their early years in the WHA (World Hockey Association) to the glory days of the 1980s, where they captured five Stanley Cups in seven years, the Oilers have a proud history of excellence. But even in seasons where their championship aspirations seem a distant hope, the team’s journey toward the playoffs remains a central focus of the city, the fans, and the players themselves. In the context of this long-standing franchise, it’s essential to remember that sometimes even a seemingly insignificant game can be crucial to the Oilers’ playoff success. A pointless game in the standings, one that doesn’t directly affect the team’s seeding or secure its entry into the postseason, can still carry profound importance.
As the Oilers prepare for the 2025 playoffs, every aspect of their play—each game, each shift—becomes a vital piece of their postseason puzzle. While the playoffs are often viewed as the ultimate goal, there are valuable lessons, emotional milestones, and tactical insights to be gained from even the games that don’t count directly in the standings. A seemingly “pointless” game might lack playoff implications on the surface, but it can still help the Oilers refine their game, build team chemistry, and prepare mentally and physically for the intense challenges that lie ahead.
Building Momentum
In any sport, momentum plays an enormous role in the postseason. Whether it’s a team’s ability to close out games in the final minutes or maintain focus and drive throughout a long, grueling series, momentum can swing in a game—or even a stretch of games—at any given moment. In hockey, the psychological aspect of the game is as important as the physical. Players may feel more confident going into the playoffs if they’ve been on a hot streak or if their game is clicking in all the right ways.
That’s why even a seemingly meaningless game can provide a psychological boost. The Oilers, with their impressive roster, may already know they are going to make the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they should take a night off. The last few regular-season games could be a chance to build and fine-tune their rhythm—especially as they enter the final stretch of the regular season, where the best teams are focusing on locking down details rather than chasing wins at all costs.
Consider the 2017-18 season, when the Oilers missed the playoffs despite boasting a roster filled with talent. In that year, their inconsistency in the regular season left them on the outside looking in. The lessons from that season proved that even the final games, when a team is technically out of playoff contention, can influence the mentality that carries over into the next season. The Oilers realized they needed to be more disciplined and focused, even during times when the game might not have immediate consequences.
For the 2025 Oilers, the final “pointless” games might be the perfect opportunity to build that momentum heading into a high-pressure playoff atmosphere. The team could experiment with line combinations, improve on special teams play (a key determinant in playoff games), and work on finer aspects of their defensive zone coverage. These games could even provide an opportunity for players to get comfortable with new systems or strategies before the intensity of playoff hockey takes over.
Rest and Recovery: Player Health
While winning is certainly the primary goal of every team, the Oilers’ coaching staff is likely well aware of the toll the regular season takes on the players, especially as they push toward the postseason. In the final games before the playoffs, it’s critical that the coaching staff balances their desire for wins with the need to maintain player health and energy. Sometimes, the significance of a game lies in how the team handles rest and recovery.
For example, the Oilers might choose to rest key players like Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in the final games of the regular season if their playoff positioning is already secure. While this may seem like an opportunity for the team to “take their foot off the gas,” it’s actually a calculated strategy to ensure the team is as fresh and energized as possible for the intensity of playoff hockey.
For teams like the Oilers, with a star player such as McDavid, who plays an incredible amount of minutes and has a high-demand physical game, the risk of injury or burnout is a constant concern. These “pointless” regular-season games allow the coaching staff to make strategic decisions about which players need a rest, which players are dealing with nagging injuries, and who needs more ice time to keep their skills sharp. The physical toll that an 82-game regular season can take on even the most conditioned athletes cannot be overstated. A few days off or a reduction in ice time can mean the difference between a healthy, energized player entering the playoffs and one who is fatigued and worn out.
Additionally, the Oilers’ coaching staff may use these games to give some of the younger players, or those who haven’t been in the lineup as much, a chance to step up. This serves the dual purpose of keeping the rest of the team fresh and giving some of the “fringe” players a chance to show they can contribute to the team’s playoff run. These players may not make the immediate impact in the “pointless” game, but their experience and confidence heading into the postseason could prove invaluable if injuries or fatigue force the team to rely on them.
Chemistry and Team Building
Team chemistry is often cited as a key factor in successful playoff runs, and the Oilers are no exception. In fact, with a roster that includes superstars like McDavid and Draisaitl, as well as solid contributors like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, the team’s success in the playoffs will hinge not only on individual talent but also on how well the players gel as a unit.
Even a regular-season game without direct playoff implications provides an opportunity for the team to reinforce its internal bonds. A game that has little impact on standings might allow the players to relax a little more, loosen up, and focus on communication and execution. These games can act as a safe environment to experiment with new line combinations or roles, which can give the coaching staff a better sense of the team’s dynamics heading into the playoffs.
Additionally, in a sport like hockey, where team morale can have such a profound impact on performance, even a meaningless game can serve as a rallying point for the players. A convincing win in a game that doesn’t matter in terms of standings can help the Oilers lock in on a mindset of confidence and camaraderie. This positive energy can carry over into practices and games, keeping the team focused and united as they prepare for the intense playoff pressure.
Testing Systems and Strategies
Another often-overlooked aspect of seemingly meaningless games is the ability to test new systems, strategies, and tactical approaches. The Oilers have already shown that they can compete at a high level in the regular season, but there are always areas for improvement. The coaching staff may use these final few games to experiment with defensive pairings, power-play units, or strategies designed to counter specific playoff opponents.
The Oilers may face specific teams in the playoffs that have different styles of play, such as a team that focuses on a heavy forecheck or a team that excels on the penalty kill. These “pointless” games provide an opportunity to try out different defensive schemes or offensive plays that could be useful in the playoffs. If the Oilers face a team with a particularly strong power play, for example, they might want to try out a different penalty-kill strategy in a low-pressure situation before the real test of postseason hockey.
In addition, the final games can also serve as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of discipline and attention to detail. Penalty minutes, puck management, and making smart decisions in all three zones will be magnified in the playoffs. Even though these games may not have a direct impact on playoff seeding, they are a chance for the Oilers to sharpen their focus and fine-tune their systems so that they are ready to perform when the games truly matter.
The Unseen Importance
At first glance, a “pointless” game in the regular season may seem like a throwaway. However, for a team like the Edmonton Oilers, preparing for the playoffs, these games hold significant value. Whether it’s building momentum, keeping players fresh and healthy, strengthening team chemistry, or experimenting with tactical strategies, every game provides an opportunity to fine-tune the team in ways that go beyond just wins and losses.
The pressure of playoff hockey is immense, and every small advantage, whether psychological, tactical, or physical, can make the difference between success and failure. So, even as the Oilers approach what may seem like meaningless games in the final stretch of the regular season, their value cannot be understated. They are not just playing for pride or for practice; they are playing to ensure they are in the best possible position to chase the ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup. Each game is part of the journey, and each game, no matter how “pointless” it may seem, contributes to the greater goal.
