If someone told you before this season that the San Jose Sharks would be in a playoff position by points percentage while the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers would be on the outside looking in after 60+ games, you would've checked them for a concussion.
But here we are, folks. After last night's results—San Jose earning an overtime loss and Edmonton losing in regulation—the Sharks are officially in playoff position while the Oilers are out. Let me repeat that: the San Jose Sharks, who were supposed to be in full tank mode, are ahead of the team with the best player on the planet.
This is one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NHL history. The Sharks were supposed to be lottery-bound, bottoming out, selling everything that wasn't nailed down. Instead, they're playing meaningful hockey in March with legitimate playoff aspirations.
Meanwhile, Edmonton continues to underwhelm despite having McDavid putting up video game numbers. Having arguably the greatest hockey player alive isn't enough when the supporting cast and defensive structure can't hold up. The Oilers have been frustratingly inconsistent, squandering a generational talent's prime years.
Now, let's be realistic—I fully expect Edmonton to make the playoffs. They've got too much firepower and too much time left. But the fact that we're even having this conversation shows how dysfunctional things have been in Alberta.
For San Jose, this is about more than just standings. This is about culture, about young players developing faster than expected, about a coaching staff maximizing what they have. They're building something sustainable while everyone thought they'd be tearing it down.
The has been absolute chaos this season, but this particular snapshot— in, out—might be the wildest image yet. Hockey has a way of humbling the mighty and elevating the overlooked.




