The 2000–01 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 22nd season in the NHL. They were coming off a 32–26–16–8 record in 1999–2000 earning 88 points, their highest point total since 1989–90. They made the playoffs for the fifth-straight season. The Oilers would lose to the Dallas Stars in six games in the first round, the fifth consecutive season the two teams met in the playoffs and their fourth consecutive elimination at the hands of the Stars.
Off-season During the off-season, general manager Glen Sather announced he was leaving the club to become the general manager of the New York Rangers. Sather had been the Oilers general manager since the 1980–81 season and helped build the teams dynasty of the 1980s, when Edmonton won 5 Stanley Cups in 7 years. Edmonton replaced Sather with Kevin Lowe, who was the team's head coach in 1999–2000, and they named former Oilers player Craig MacTavish as the head coach of the team.
Regular season Early in the season, the Oilers traded Bill Guerin to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Anson Carter and the Bruins' first two rounds of draft picks in 2001. Guerin had earned 22 points in 21 games with Edmonton at the time, though Carter immediately provided solid scoring for the Oilers, earning 42 points in 61 games.
The highlight of the Oilers season was a nine-game winning streak in mid-February, which helped ensure the team make the playoffs for the fifth-straight season. Edmonton finished the year with 39 wins and 93 points, their highest totals since the 1987–88 season. They finished in the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Offensively, Doug Weight led the club with 90 points, scoring 25 goals and adding 65 assists. Ryan Smyth scored a team-high 31 goals and added 39 assists to finish the year with 70 points. Janne Niinimaa led the defense with 12 goals and 46 points, while fellow blueliner Tom Poti also scored 12 goals, finishing with 32 points. Georges Laraque led the Oilers in penalty minutes with 148.
In goal, Tommy Salo got the majority of action, winning a career-high 36 games, along with a 2.46 goals against average (GAA) and earning eight shutouts.
Season standings
Playoffs The Oilers opened the playoffs against the Dallas Stars, making it the fifth-straight year that the two clubs would face each other, including the third-straight time in the first round. The teams split the first two games in Dallas, and then split the two games in Edmonton, with both games in Edmonton being decided in overtime. Game 5 also went into overtime, with Dallas winning the game 4–3, and taking a 3–2 series lead. Game 6 returned to Edmonton, and the Stars held off the Oilers and won the game 3–1 and the series 4–2, eliminating the Oilers for the fourth-straight season.
Schedule and results
Regular season
| 1 || October 6 || Detroit Red Wings || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 15,897 || 1–0–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || October 7 || Colorado Avalanche || 1 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 15,158 || 1–0–1–0 || 3 ||
| 3 || October 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Montreal Canadiens || || Salo || 20,108 || 1–1–1–0 || 3 ||
| 4 || October 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 3 || Detroit Red Wings || || Salo || 19,995 || 2–1–1–0 || 5 ||
| 5 || October 13 || Buffalo Sabres || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 13,002 || 3–1–1–0 || 7 ||
| 6 || October 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 3 || Minnesota Wild || || Gage || 18,064 || 4–1–1–0 || 9 ||
| 7 || October 17 || Boston Bruins || 1 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 12,377 || 5–1–1–0 || 11 ||
| 8 || October 19 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 5–2–1–0 || 11 ||
| 9 || October 22 || Phoenix Coyotes || 3 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 14,003 || 5–2–2–0 || 12 ||
| 10 || October 25 || Atlanta Thrashers || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Gage || 11,576 || 5–3–2–0 || 12 ||
| 11 || October 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || || Salo || 13,592 || 5–4–2–0 || 12 ||
| 12 || October 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Colorado Avalanche || || Salo || 18,007 || 5–5–2–0 || 12 ||
| 13 || October 30 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 3 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 12,002 || 6–5–2–0 || 14 ||
| 14 || November 1 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 15,206 || 7–5–2–0 || 16 ||
| 15 || November 3 || Minnesota Wild || 0 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 12,811 || 8–5–2–0 || 18 ||
| 16 || November 5 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || || Salo || 16,041 || 9–5–2–0 || 20 ||
| 17 || November 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || New York Rangers || || Salo || 18,200 || 9–6–2–0 || 20 ||
| 18 || November 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Salo || 19,418 || 9–7–2–0 || 20 ||
| 19 || November 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || || Salo || 16,653 || 9–8–2–0 || 20 ||
| 20 || November 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 4 || Minnesota Wild || OT || Gage || 18,064 || 10–8–2–0 || 22 ||
| 21 || November 14 || St. Louis Blues || 0 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 12,512 || 11–8–2–0 || 24 ||
| 22 || November 17 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 16,002 || 11–8–3–0 || 25 ||
| 23 || November 19 || Calgary Flames || 0 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 12–8–3–0 || 27 ||
| 24 || November 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Salo || 19,212 || 12–9–3–0 || 27 ||
| 25 || November 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 3 || Ottawa Senators || || Salo || 18,087 || 13–9–3–0 || 29 ||
| 26 || November 25 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 14–9–3–0 || 31 ||
| 27 || November 29 || Montreal Canadiens || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,418 || 14–10–3–0 || 31 ||
| 28 || December 2 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Vancouver Canucks || || Salo || 18,422 || 14–11–3–0 || 31 ||
| 29 || December 3 || San Jose Sharks || 3 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 13,739 || 14–11–4–0 || 32 ||
| 30 || December 6 || Nashville Predators || 0 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 13,113 || 15–11–4–0 || 34 ||
| 31 || December 9 || Los Angeles Kings || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,619 || 15–12–4–0 || 34 ||
| 32 || December 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Dallas Stars || || Salo || 17,001 || 15–13–4–0 || 34 ||
| 33 || December 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 2 || Nashville Predators || || Salo ||| 14,184 || 16–13–4–0 || 36 ||
| 34 || December 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 4 || Washington Capitals || || Gage || 15,036 || 16–14–4–0 || 36 ||
| 35 || December 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Detroit Red Wings || OT || Salo || 19,995 || 16–14–4–1 || 37 ||
| 36 || December 20 || Vancouver Canucks || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 16,401 || 17–14–4–1 || 39 ||
| 37 || December 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 1 || Calgary Flames || OT || Salo || 17,139 || 17–14–5–1 || 40 ||
| 38 || December 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Colorado Avalanche || || Salo || 18,007 || 17–15–5–1 || 40 ||
| 39 || December 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || San Jose Sharks || OT || Salo || 17,496 || 17–15–6–1 || 41 ||
| 40 || December 30 || Montreal Canadiens || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 17,100 || 18–15–6–1 || 43 ||
| 41 || January 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || St. Louis Blues || || Salo || 19,686 || 18–16–6–1 || 43 ||
| 42 || January 3 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Columbus Blue Jackets || || Salo || 15,217 || 18–17–6–1 || 43 ||
| 43 || January 5 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 1 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Salo || 16,416 || 19–17–6–1 || 45 ||
| 44 || January 7 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 14,186 || 20–17–6–1 || 47 ||
| 45 || January 10 || Nashville Predators || 5 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 13,615 || 20–18–6–1 || 47 ||
| 46 || January 12 || Vancouver Canucks || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 20–19–6–1 || 47 ||
| 47 || January 14 || Ottawa Senators || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roussel || 16,362 || 21–19–6–1 || 49 ||
| 48 || January 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 1 || Nashville Predators || || Salo || 14,525 || 22–19–6–1 || 51 ||
| 49 || January 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || St. Louis Blues || || Roussel || 19,184 || 22–20–6–1 || 51 ||
| 50 || January 20 || Detroit Red Wings || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 23–20–6–1 || 53 ||
| 51 || January 22 || San Jose Sharks || 2 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 15,300 || 23–20–7–1 || 54 ||
| 52 || January 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || San Jose Sharks || || Roussel || 17,496 || 23–21–7–1 || 54 ||
| 53 || January 26 || Phoenix Coyotes || 1 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 16,669 || 23–21–8–1 || 55 ||
| 54 || January 30 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 3 || Calgary Flames || || Salo || 17,139 || 24–21–8–1 || 57 ||
| 55 || January 31 || Chicago Blackhawks || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 15,378 || 25–21–8–1 || 59 ||
| 56 || February 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Dallas Stars || || Salo || 17,001 || 25–22–8–1 || 59 ||
| 57 || February 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Salo || 15,070 || 25–23–8–1 || 59 ||
| 58 || February 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 3 || Los Angeles Kings || || Salo || 14,059 || 26–23–8–1 || 61 ||
| 59 || February 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || OT || Salo || 11,307 || 26–23–9–1 || 62 ||
| 60 || February 16 || New York Islanders || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roussel || 16,801 || 26–24–9–1 || 62 ||
| 61 || February 17 || Vancouver Canucks || 6 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 17,100 || 26–24–9–2 || 63 ||
| 62 || February 20 || Los Angeles Kings || 0 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,349 || 27–24–9–2 || 65 ||
| 63 || February 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Calgary Flames || || Salo || 17,139 || 28–24–9–2 || 67 ||
| 64 || February 25 || Dallas Stars || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 17,100 || 29–24–9–2 || 69 ||
| 65 || February 28 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,346 || 30–24–9–2 || 71 ||
| 66 || March 2 || Minnesota Wild || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,280 || 31–24–9–2 || 73 ||
| 67 || March 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 0 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 32–24–9–2 || 75 ||
| 68 || March 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Buffalo Sabres || || Salo || 18,690 || 33–24–9–2 || 77 ||
| 69 || March 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || Carolina Hurricanes || || Salo || 13,124 || 34–24–9–2 || 79 ||
| 70 || March 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 4 || Tampa Bay Lightning || OT || Salo || 14,596 || 35–24–9–2 || 81 ||
| 71 || March 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || Florida Panthers || OT || Salo || 13,100 || 35–24–10–2 || 82 ||
| 72 || March 17 || New Jersey Devils || 6 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 17,100 || 35–24–10–3 || 83 ||
| 73 || March 19 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roussel || 17,100 || 35–25–10–3 || 83 ||
| 74 || March 21 || Edmonton Oilers || 7 – 0 || Los Angeles Kings || || Salo || 15,666 || 36–25–10–3 || 85 ||
| 75 || March 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 7 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Salo || 15,318 || 36–26–10–3 || 85 ||
| 76 || March 26 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 16,563 || 37–26–10–3 || 87 ||
| 77 || March 28 || Colorado Avalanche || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 38–26–10–3 || 89 ||
| 78 || March 30 || Dallas Stars || 5 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Salo || 17,100 || 38–27–10–3 || 89 ||
| 79 || April 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 3 || Chicago Blackhawks || OT || Salo || 14,387 || 38–27–11–3 || 90 ||
| 80 || April 2 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || Colorado Avalanche || || Salo || 18,007 || 38–28–11–3 || 90 ||
| 81 || April 4 || Minnesota Wild || 2 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Salo || 17,100 || 38–28–12–3 || 91 ||