Jeff's NHL Spotlight teams are NHL squads that will make the playoffs (and/or improve by at least 15 points) after missing out the previous year. Jeff (JH-Sportsline) is now a 5-time NHL Handicapping champion documented by The Sports Monitor of OK. Jeff cashed 78.6% in 2013 NHL regular season and 70% in the Postseason. Do yourself a favor and jump on board the EARLY BIRD NHL FULL SEASON PACKAGE available at this website. Jeff has the highest NHL winning percentage in the Nation. This article has produced ginormous results in nearly every season.


Jeff's 2014-15 NHL Western Conference Spotlight Team: Edmonton Oilers


2013-14 record: 29-44-9, (67 points, missed playoffs)


Last year, I said the Edmonton Oilers were one or two years away from being markedly better. I will roll the dice on this young but very skillful bunch. They should be underdogs more often than not in the first quarter of the season before the odds-makers catch on. I am not saying to blindly play on Edmonton in every game, rather to use this information along with your NHL handicapping process. Edmonton has missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. They play in the very tough Western Conference, where the quality of teams are far superior than the East. The Oilers had a Western Conference low 67 points last season. And while a playoff appearance seems unlikely, I do think this team can reach the low 80's in points this season. I see four teams right now in the West that will take a step back. Edmonton should benefit from the weaker competition.

Second-year GM MacTavish has done a great job in stabilizing the goaltending with last year's additions of Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth, but the defense needs to a better job when facing an odd man rush. Scrivens has good size (6' 2", 195) and had a better save percentage than over half of the other goalies last year. He went 16-16-4 with a 2.55 GAA and .922 save percentage. Backup Viktor Fasth is 20-11-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage in his career. The Oilers now have two above average goalies for the long, long NHL season. The team should be improved on the blue-line with the likes of Darnell Nurse, Martin Marincin, and Oscar Klefbom. Another year running the same system will only help. Edmonton has a big defense with eight players listed at 6'4 or taller. If all healthy, the Oilers defense will be much tougher to score against than last season. They were ranked 30th in goals allowed. Look for that number to be much improved by season's end.

Taylor Hall is already among the NHL's very best left wingers, leading the Edmonton Oilers last season with a career-high 80 points (27-53) in 75 games. He comes into this season ready to raise his game even more. There was a lot of pressure put on this group last season. I think they have the right attitude going into this season. One game at a time. Teddy Purcell is a good player who was picked up in the Sam Gagner trade. The Oilers signed forward Benoit Pouliot (Rangers) and defenseman Mark Fayne (Devils). These are two players who from the analytics side of things are a perfect fit for this group. The team is looking to play smarter this year, with a nice mix of youthful talent and veteran presence. When will top draft pick Leon Draisaitl suit up for the big club? The Oilers don't like rushing players, but his talent will translate well to the NHL. He is just 18 years old and could be a future star.

Jeff's Prediction: 38-36-8 (83 points, 11th place out West)


Good Luck this Hockey Season!

Jeff H/JH-Sportsline