The Edmonton Oilers' early-season struggles continue, with a recurring theme that is testing the patience of their captain, Connor McDavid. The team has been surrendering leads, turning potential wins into frustrating losses. This pattern is not new, as the Oilers have historically struggled in October, but the issues have now extended into November.
After tight losses against the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars, the Oilers find themselves in the middle of the NHL standings. While there's optimism that the team can find its rhythm and improve its position, the repeated pattern of squandered leads is becoming a concerning narrative. The Oilers have a 2-1-3 record in games where they have surrendered a two-goal lead, costing them valuable points.
In a recent game against the Dallas Stars, the Oilers lost 4-3 in a shootout after failing to protect a two-goal lead in the third period. Just the previous day, they lost to the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in regulation after giving up a 2-0 lead. Edmonton has given up a lead of two goals or more six times already this season. This marks the first time in the team's history that the Oilers have lost four games when leading by multiple goals within the first 15 games of a season.
The team's inability to close out games has prompted concern and frustration. "Too many of these right now. It's something that we need to fix," said one player, highlighting the urgency to address the issue. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins echoed this sentiment, stating, "We know we're capable of closing games out like this, but we've got to start showing it".
Coach Kris Knoblauch has acknowledged the need for more contribution from players beyond McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. While McDavid is currently leading the NHL with 21 points in 15 games and Draisaitl has 17 points, the supporting cast needs to elevate their performance. After those three forwards, Evan Bouchard is next with just 10 points. "I think Leon and Connor were two of our better players, as expected, but we just need to get more out of everyone," Knoblauch stated.
Despite the team's struggles, McDavid has achieved a significant milestone, recording his 1,100th NHL point. He is the fourth-fastest player to reach this mark, trailing only hockey legends Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy. McDavid reached the milestone in 726 games, just one game shy of tying Bossy's record.
McDavid's commitment to winning in Edmonton was evident when he signed his two-year, $12.5 million extension before the season. "If we have a team that can win and win and win again, I'll be here," McDavid said. However, the team's current performance is likely not what he envisioned. While McDavid is finding his game, the rest of the team needs to contribute more consistently.
The Oilers' power play has been a positive aspect, with goals in four straight games. However, the team's overall performance needs improvement, and they must learn to protect leads and secure victories. The pressure is on the Oilers to turn their season around and demonstrate that they can be a winning team.
