With all the cheerful Whos and roast beasts removed, the Edmonton Oilers’ eight-game winning streak that was supposed to salvage the season and make Christmas cheerier has now devolved into a Grinch-like three-game losing streak.
The New York Islanders put a stop to whatever aspirations Edmonton had of breaking the run with a 3-1 setback to start the first of six straight road games in defeat. The Oilers lastly went down the chimney and into their house.
What we discovered after the most recent setback:
A SAND ISLAND
The Oilers (13-15-1) have a long way to go before they can contend for the playoffs in the upcoming season, as demonstrated by the Islanders.
Before playing the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, New York improved its record to 15-8-8. The Islanders want to close the gap on the New York Rangers, who are now leading the Metropolitan Division (22-7-1) and leading the Eastern Conference.
The Oilers’ final game of the journey, against the Rangers on Friday, doesn’t get any easier. They first had to make a detour in New Jersey to play the Devils (16-12-2). In their only prior encounter of the season on October 26, the Rangers easily defeated Edmonton 3-0.
Despite having an 8-game winning streak and a 4-9-0 record, the Oilers have lost more games than they have won away from Rogers Place, where they are a solid 9-6-1. They did, however, defeat the Devils 4-1 at home during the eight-game run.
A SEEK
No, nothing is improving. Oilers are glancing upward. in the standings, that is. at almost all of them.
Returning to their own conference, Edmonton is a full seven points off of a wild card playoff place, sitting in the bottom quarter at 13th out of 16 teams.
Over the course of the three games, they have fallen four spots.
However, there is positive news. With a three-game road trip to play the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks before the year 2024 officially begins, they have at least a chance to begin making up some of that ground before the new year arrives.
Not so unique teams
It has been their pride and strength. Their lighting and thunder. But on Tuesday night, the Oilers’ special teams completely failed them.
The Oilers power play placed them in a hole by conceding a shorthanded goal against the Islanders, even though they went 0-for-4 and were shut out in back-to-back games for the third time this season (including both of their games against the Florida Panthers).
Meanwhile, the penalty kill is 5-for-9 during this three-game slump after going 2-for-4 on Tuesday.
However, the penalty kill has dropped to 21st place at 78.3 percent, while the power play is still rated fourth overall at 27.27 percent.
AMOUNTING DAMAGES
This season, the Oilers are demonstrating that losses are a regular occurrence for them.
Edmonton began the season with back-to-back losses to the Vancouver Canucks. Since then, the team has lost four straight games, three straight, and now three more consecutive games.
When they do occur, they always get worse. To the extent that the avalanche buryes even an outstanding eight-game winning streak. How much longer will it last this time is the key question.
After their most recent string of defeats, they have now been outscored 15–6, raising the question of whether the lack of offence or the lack of defence should take the brunt of the responsibility.
Greetings, Santa
A backup goalkeeper is all the Oilers should be asking for for Christmas. (Or, given how things have been going lately, one that can compete for the starting position.
The Oilers allowed a total of 15 goals on 84 shots during their three-game losing streak, translating to a 5.00 goals-against average and a.821 save % (skewed by a number of empty-netters).
In his two games, Stuart Skinner stopped 35 of the 43 shots he faced, while Calvin Pickard, the backup, stopped 34 of 39 in his first start.
In contrast to his 1.70 goals-against average and.934 save percentage he put together en route to his previous seven of his eight consecutive victories, Skinner’s 4.00 goals-against average and.814 save percentage in his last two losses are stark contrasts.
Even though Pickard has had moments, his inconsistent play has been evident in his three starts since being called up from the Bakersfield, California, farm.
