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The Edmonton Oilers have been so close.
Two seasons ago, they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in Game 7
Last season, it was Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals that ended the season.
Both times, it was the Florida Panthers ruining things for the Oilers.
Now? Edmonton might just have to make another run at it. And that means that before the trade deadline, there's work to do.
Sportsnet's Justin Bourne thinks that's the only path the Oilers can follow, one where they take a "big swing" to improve.
"The Oilers are slowly finding their way to some depth scoring, something that’s plagued them over their years on a quest for the Cup," Bourne writes. "But they still need to shore up their defending, and given their prime stars and the experience they’ve got, you have to believe they’re going to take another big swing at the deadline. Frankly, it would be crazy not to, as the rest of the Pacific is a bit of a dog’s breakfast right now."
MORE: How Connor McDavid is to the Oilers what Josh Allen is to the Bills
The NHL's conference races feel at least a bit murky at the moment.
Take the Panthers, who have work to do just to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
In some ways, things feel more wide open than usual. That could allow the Oilers to benefit from their playoff experience.
Edmonton has a roster that has been there and done that. Adding a player or two with even more bulk of experience could push things toward the brink and get the Oilers over a hump they have yet to be able to clear.
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