There have been a lot of issues surrounding the Edmonton Oilers so far this season. Just look at their record (21-21-3), and you can see why they have failed any expectations they had before pre-season. The fact of the matter is that nothing has gone their way and there have been a lot of factors that have hurt their playoff chances.
One major part would have to be injuries, and the other would be the uncertainty surrounding the future of this franchise. Nobody knows what will happen in the offseason, if Peter Chiarelli will be let go or if Ken Hitchcock will be retained for another season.