The Edmonton Oilers were predicted to win the Stanley Cup. However, they have struggled. What went wrong for the Oilers to begin the season?
The Edmonton Oilers finally won a game, but the season hasn’t started as well as they had intended. David Amber and the Hockey Central team discussed the Edmonton Oilers’ dismal start to the season. They discussed what had gone wrong.
The panel discusses critical concerns affecting the team in the section below. In the video below, they discuss how the Oilers can turn things around. Their perspective covers the penalty kill, defensive issues, and Connor McDavid’s possible breakout.
The Oilers Have Struggled on Their Penalty Kill
One of the Oilers’ main issues early in the season has been their penalty kill, which currently ranks last in the NHL at 56.3%, as Amber noted. This is a stark contrast to last season’s playoffs when they were exceptional in this area, successfully killing off 30 consecutive penalties. Unfortunately, they’ve struggled to maintain that level of performance this season, conceding five goals in their first six penalty kills—a dramatic decline.
Experts attribute this drop-off to the departure of key penalty-killers such as Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, and Cody Ceci, which has forced a reshuffling of roles. Although the Oilers managed a perfect penalty kill in their most recent game, their overall success rate sits at just 44%, a worrying trend. Amber stressed that goaltending plays a vital role in any penalty-kill unit, and the Oilers need more consistent performances from their goalies to steady this aspect of their game.
With Some News Defensive Pairings, There Have Been Adjustments
The Oilers’ defensive pairings have also received notice, particularly with the departures of Vincent Desharnais and Cody Ceci. Amber and his teammates examined how Ceci’s absence affected the team’s defensive framework. Ceci’s departure to San Jose left a vacancy in the blue line. His prior pairing with Darnell Nurse brought out the best in Nurse’s game. With newcomers like Travis Dermott attempting to find their spot, the Oilers are still adjusting to the changes.
Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers looks for a dependable defenceman to play with.
The top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard is expected to be strong. However, the shuffle of the second and third pairings takes time to settle. As Amber pointed out, this adjustment phase will be critical in evaluating whether the Oilers can reclaim their defensive footing in the following games.
Connor McDavid Hasn’t Broken Out Despite Potential
Despite the team’s early troubles, McDavid can always get them back on track. Amber mentioned McDavid’s outstanding record against the Flyers. Last night, he helped Leon Draisaitl score the game-winning overtime goal. With that, McDavid has an 11-game point streak against Philadelphia. He has already scored 27 points in those matches.
Before the game, the Hockey Central panel projected McDavid’s breakout performance. He recorded two assists. That doesn’t quite qualify when you consider how many three- and four-pointers he had last season. McDavid’s leadership and scoring output are just what the Oilers need to get out of their early-season slump.
Have the Oilers Turned the Corner with Their Comeback Win?
The Oilers may have found the spark they needed with their comeback victory over the Flyers on Tuesday night. They came back from behind and defeated a hard Flyers squad, scoring an overtime goal and claiming the extra point. That resiliency could be a watershed moment for Edmonton.
The important question is whether this signals the start of a successful stretch. Are the Oilers on their way to a run of wins? Time will tell, but their tenacious victory hints they may be ready to turn things around.
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