Oilers book playoff spot for 7th straight season

The Edmonton Oilers clinched a playoff spot Saturday by virtue of the Winnipeg Jets' loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The berth extends the Oilers' postseason streak to seven years. They've reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but lost both to the Florida Panthers.

Edmonton lost to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday but is still in contention to win the Pacific with two games left to play. It trails the Vegas Golden Knights by one point, while the Anaheim Ducks are two back of the top seed in the division with a game in hand on both teams.

The Oilers have played strong down the stretch with a 7-4-1 record since superstar Leon Draisaitl was injured March 15. The club is hopeful he'll be able to return for the first round of the playoffs, which begins April 18.

Connor McDavid, predictably, has picked up the slack with his running mate unavailable, posting 10 goals and nine assists since Draisaitl was sidelined.

If the Oilers win the Pacific Division, they'll likely take on the Utah Mammoth in Round 1. Edmonton's two remaining games are against the first-place Colorado Avalanche, and last-place Vancouver Canucks.