The Edmonton Oilers, a high-scoring powerhouse, are experiencing a sluggish start to the season, eerily similar to last year’s disappointing beginning.
Eleven months ago, the Oilers stumbled early, losing 10 of their first 13 games, a stretch that led to the dismissal of coach Jay Woodcroft. Kris Knoblauch took over mid-season and revitalized the team, guiding them to the playoffs and securing the Western Conference title. However, their season ended in heartbreak, falling in Game 7 of a dramatic Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.
Fast forward to this season, and the Oilers are again off to a troubling start, losing their first three home games and being outscored 15-3. For a team loaded with talent and expected to contend for the Stanley Cup, this start has raised alarms. When asked about the similarities to last year, Knoblauch acknowledged, “There’s frustration, no doubt, but it’s not at the level it was when I first came in. That said, we need to correct things quickly.”
Despite having elite stars like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Oilers have struggled mightily. In three games, they’ve only managed two even-strength goals, while their typically lethal power play has produced just one goal on five opportunities. To make matters worse, their penalty kill has been porous, surrendering five power-play goals.
A recurring theme around the Oilers’ rough start has been the sense of being “disconnected.” McDavid voiced his concerns: “We’re losing battles, we’re not playing clean hockey. Passes are off, the puck handling is poor—it’s just not good enough right now.”
The Oilers also lost key contributors during the offseason. Ryan McLeod, a crucial piece of last season’s penalty kill, was traded to Buffalo, while Warren Foegele signed with the Los Angeles Kings. Defenders Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais also departed, leaving gaps in the roster. Though the team brought in Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to bolster the offense, the loss of speed and youth—particularly with players like Dylan Holloway now gone—has been evident. The Oilers are now the oldest team in the NHL, with an average age over 30.
Veteran forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins believes the issue isn’t the new personnel, but rather the team rediscovering their chemistry, especially on the penalty kill. “We’ve got to get back to what made us effective. It’s not about the new guys—it’s about us finding our rhythm again,” he said.
Knoblauch echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that a return to desperate, determined play is crucial. “We need to play with more urgency. We had a great year last season, but we’re missing that desperation right now, and it’s hurting us.”
The Oilers will have a busy schedule ahead, hosting the Flyers next before hitting the road for games in Nashville and Dallas. Despite the rocky start, McDavid remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back. “We’re not quitters. Losing three in a row isn’t what we wanted, but we’ve been through tough times before, and we’ll work our way out of this.”
The Oilers will need to find their footing fast if they want to avoid a repeat of last season’s nightmare beginning.
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