27 Milan Lucic LW

Oilers' Milan Lucic: Looking forward to next season

Lucic finished the season with a dismal 34 points in 82 games -- his lowest point total since 2012-13 with Boston (27). However, the 29-year-old enforcer is only looking forward to contributing in 2018-19. "There are ways to bounce back, but it's on me to do that. I'm not giving up on myself and I'm not giving up on this team. I just have to find a way to find my confidence again and be the player I've been in the past," Lucic said. "I still consider myself a top-six forward and I still have a lot of confidence in myself that I can produce at a high level." Lucic started the season strongly -- registering 26 points in the first 36 games, then only tallied eight in the final 46.

Oilers' Milan Lucic: Goal drought continues

Lucic's last goal came on Dec. 23 against Arizona -- he has attempted 73 shots since then without any results. The 29-year-old winger's lack of production has even gotten him demoted to the third line in recent games. While he has surpassed his totals in hits and blocks from last season (235 and 25, respectively), Lucic has yet to post a positive plus/minus in his last 15 contests. Owners can be grateful for his consistent numbers in the physical game but can temper expectations for his offensive upside.

Oilers' Milan Lucic: Unusual year continues

The unusual 2017-18 season continues for Lucic -- he has now recorded an assist in back-to-back games after not registering a point in the previous six. Despite the inconsistent offense, the 29-year-old winger was at least keeping up his notorious physical style (227 hits in 74 games this season) -- but now Lucic has failed to register a hit in three of the last four. With his ice time down as well from 2016-17 (16:12 on average), owners might want to pursue more reliable options during the playoff push.

Oilers' Milan Lucic: Collects rare helper

The Vancouver native turned in an unusual performance -- he scored his first point since Mar. 5 and failed to register a hit or blocked shot. Lucic has only amassed 33 points in 73 games in 2017-18 but has bested his totals of hits and blocked shots from 2016-17 (227 and 24, respectively). Lucic is still randomly seeing time alongside Connor McDavid but is best relied on in leagues that value defensive statistics.

Oilers' Milan Lucic: Back at practice Thursday

Lucic should thus be ready to roll for Thursday's matchup against the Islanders, likely in his usual spot alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl. The 29-year-old winger scored his first goal since Dec. 23 on Monday and will attempt to build off of that effort Thursday against a New York club surrendering 3.49 goals per game on the road this season.