Oilers' Talbot: 'We're going to make the playoffs'

Cam Talbot, optimist.

Despite his Edmonton Oilers ranking ahead of just two teams in the Western Conference standings, the goaltender believes the disappointing season is not yet lost.

"We're going to make the playoffs," Talbot said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

"We're going to play like our lives are on the line every single night," he added. "Until eight teams have an 'X' beside their name we're not out of it. That's how we have to approach it."

The Oilers entered the All-Star break with 47 points in 49 games, putting them 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the West with four teams between them and the Colorado Avalanche. While clubs have overcome similar deficits in the past, the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Anaheim Ducks each have 57 points as well, meaning Edmonton will also need tons of help down the stretch to have a chance.

For the Oilers to pull off a miracle and qualify for the postseason, Talbot will have to improve his play, as his .901 save percentage across 39 starts this season is a major reason why the club has regressed from a 103-point finish in 2016-17.