Oilers’ Heavy Travel Schedule Becoming a Major Factor in Early Season Struggles
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a challenging start to the 2025-26 NHL season, and a significant contributing factor appears to be their demanding travel schedule. With a substantial portion of their early games played on the road, the constant travel is taking a toll on the team's performance, both physically and mentally.
Through the first part of the season, the Oilers have struggled to find consistency, with several instances of giving up multiple goals in games. This has led to scrutiny of the team's defensive play and goaltending, with the Oilers allowing 3.57 goals per game, which ranks among the worst in the league. While individual players, including star players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have shown flashes of brilliance, the team has struggled to maintain a high level of play consistently.
One of the most significant impacts of the heavy travel schedule is the fatigue it causes. Players are subject to constant time zone changes, long flights, and unfamiliar environments, disrupting sleep patterns and recovery. This fatigue can manifest in several ways on the ice, including decreased energy levels, slower reaction times, and reduced focus. According to a Reddit post in r/EdmontonOilers, the Oilers are set to travel the most miles in the NHL this season. The constant travel takes a toll over the course of the year, especially with all the playoff travel over the past two seasons.
Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch has acknowledged the need for the team to improve its defensive details, but also recognizes the impact of the demanding schedule. After a recent loss, Nurse stated that the team needs to change some things and find a way to be better, especially on a long road trip like this. The Oilers' defensive unit, which was expected to be a strength of the team, has been inconsistent, leading to increased pressure on the goaltenders.
Adding to the Oilers' woes is a lack of secondary scoring beyond McDavid and Draisaitl. The team's top forwards have combined for a significant portion of their goals, leaving the Oilers reliant on their star players to generate offense. This lack of depth can be particularly problematic when the team is fatigued from travel, as other players need to step up and contribute.
Despite the challenges, there are signs that the Oilers are working to address their struggles. The team's defensive play has shown some improvement in recent games, with players like Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm trending in the right direction. Additionally, goaltender Calvin Pickard had a strong performance in a recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, offering a glimpse of hope for improved goaltending.
The Oilers have a unique scheduling quirk, playing 16 games in the Eastern Time Zone, all before December 18th, completed in just three road trips. This unusual schedule concentrates their Eastern travel early in the season, potentially offering some relief in the later months. The team will need to capitalize on any opportunities to rest and recover to mitigate the effects of the early-season travel.
The Edmonton Oilers' heavy travel schedule is undoubtedly contributing to their early-season struggles. The constant travel takes a physical and mental toll on players, impacting their energy levels, focus, and overall performance. While the team is working to address its defensive issues and find more consistent scoring, managing the challenges posed by the demanding schedule will be crucial to turning their season around.
