February Blues: Getting Back To Form

The Edmonton Oilers are lost at the moment.

Heading into the NHL All-Star break with all the confidence in the world, defeating division rivals, Anaheim and San Jose on back-to-back nights, the hockey world was all ready to pencil them in for the 2017 NHL playoffs. However, in the midst of a 3 game losing skid since returning to the ice, the mindset around the Oilers has returned to a very familiar type of narrative.

This recent skid was not expected by many people around the team. The convincing wins in both Anaheim and San Jose were seen as an extraordinary achievement for this team, and was a huge test that they passed with flying colours. Now, with losses to Minnesota, Nashville, and Carolina, the team has seemingly lost their way.

The team that walked into California and enforced their tenacious and fast game last week, has now followed up those dominant performances with uninspired and sloppy play. The game against Minnesota was perhaps the most revealing of this point. The Wild played a fast cycle game that jumbled the Oilers forwards and defence, and this caused for many missed assignments. The team was effectively worked by Minnesota and that showed up big on the scoreboard, as they lost 5-2.

Nashville was also a game in which the Oilers showed weakness. Despite a strong performance by Cam Talbot, the team was unable to finish on some quality scoring chances early on. A ill-advised cross ice pass from Leon Draisaitl was all it took for, Predator, Viktor Arvidsson to intercept and net the winning goal. The team got better as the game went on but, Cam Talbot can’t score goals, and the Oil dropped a 2-0 decision in Music City.

Then there came yesterday’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. There is always a buzz when these teams play each-other, as they met in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, but the Oilers failed to gain much traction. A quick passing play and some missed checking led to the Hurricanes first goal in the opening period. Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, drew the Oilers even in the second with a phenomenal breakaway goal, but a poorly executed penalty kill in the third period spelt the end of the Oilers in this one as, rookie, Sebastian Aho one-timed the winning goal. Effort was the concern in this one, as the McDavid line was the only trio generating anything offensively. 2-1, and here we are now.

This unfortunate streak has drawn the ire of many within the Oilers faithful but, I am a self-proclaimed Oilers optimist so I will not dwell on the doom and gloom that losing streaks tend to inspire. The Oilers are still in a playoff spot, and only 5pts separate them from the division lead. The Oilers are in an unfortunate situation at the moment but it by no means warrants panic. This team, as good as they’ve been this season, has been through other losing streaks, the most recent being a four game skid in mid-December. The Oilers followed up disappointing performances against Minnesota(x2), Philadelphia, and Buffalo by finding a level ground and defeating Winnipeg.

This is a streaky team, they are either hot or they are cold depending on what week it is. Last week they were as hot as ever and now, well they’re cold. The most that this team can do right now is to keep practicing and playing until they find that level ground once again. The bye-week could offer this team some reflection on their recent play, and encourage them to right the ship. Perhaps the All-Star break allowed them to grow complacent with their strong play and let off the gas.

Now is not the time to write off the 2016/17 Edmonton Oilers. This is a much stronger group of players than recent years. The likes of Connor McDavid, Milan Lucic, and a guy like Zack Kassian will have to stand up in that room and help lead the younger players. Strong leadership and a willingness to put in the work for the desired result will get this team back to their winning ways.

The light at the end of the tunnel is still there, just have to get over the hump in order to see it clearly.

Thanks For Reading!
You can find me on Twitter @PrestonKixFM