The Edmonton Oilers are barrelling toward another playoff appearance. They are nine points clear of the playoff line with eight games to play, so it is only a matter of time before they clinch. Their recent games have been without Connor McDavid,

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid is expected to return before the end of the regular season despite not traveling with the Edmonton Oilers for the start of an upcoming four-game road trip, coach Kris Knoblauch said Sunday.

The Golden Knights, however, clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth when the Calgary Flames lost to the Utah Hockey Club 3-1 on Tuesday. The Golden Knights (45-21-8) are first in the Pacific Division, five points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.

The way the Oilers played in Vegas should have the Golden Knights’ attention ahead of a potential second-round series.