Why do the Oilers have to be up against a wall before they turn it up?

Oh, the Edmonton Oilers have their backs right up against the proverbial wall, you say? Article content

No problem. That just means they have the rest of the NHL right where they want them. (Minus the Florida Panthers, of course). Article content Article content

For the past two years, the second-best team in the league has made a habit out of putting themselves in an unenviable position before suddenly remembering just who the heck they are and re-establishing themselves as an elite team led by two of the best in the game.

It happened following a 2-9-1 start that led to a coaching change two years ago, before going on runs of eight- and 16-straight wins on the way to appearing in the Stanley Cup Final.

It happened after fumbling around the .500 mark through the first month of la