Oilers and Rangers Face Tough Season Ahead

Fans of the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers may have envisioned a showdown in the Stanley Cup Final come next spring. After all, the Oilers have reached the championship round for the past two seasons, while the Rangers were fresh off a Presidents' Trophy run just one season ago.

However, this season has taken a downward turn for both franchises, with each struggling in the early stages of the 2025-26 NHL season. Currently, the Oilers and Rangers find themselves occupying the 26th and 25th places, respectively, in this week's NHL Power Rankings by B/R.

Each team has fallen one spot from last week's standings. The Oilers, boasting an overall record of 10-9-2, have yet to find the consistency that propelled them to the Western Conference title in previous years. Their underwhelming performances include a stark 5-1 loss to Buffalo, coupled with a disheartening 7-4 defeat against Washington. Defenseman Brett Kulak commented on the situation, stating, "We’ve got to put in a full 60-minute effort. Just got to keep working away at it right now. Everyone's got to find some chemistry with their linemates."

On the other hand, the Rangers, with a record of 10-8-2, have experienced a contrasting trend, performing well on the road with a league-best 9-2-1 record despite a shaky home performance. Their recent achievements include a six-game win streak away from Madison Square Garden, showcasing potential despite their current struggles.

Clearly, both teams face a challenging road ahead as they attempt to regain their competitive edges. With the season still in its early stages, fans can hope for a turnaround, but the possibility of a draft lottery get-together is looming.

NHL Power Rankings at a Glance

As the NHL season progresses, the standings continue to shuffle. Meanwhile, teams like the New York Islanders have surged ahead with a significant rise in their rankings, jumping from 17th to 11th. This only further emphasizes the challenges currently faced by both the Oilers and Rangers as they aim to return to playoff contention.