Kris Knoblauch had already hinted at trouble in paradise for the Edmonton Oilers before their Friday showdown! Well, as much as it sounds daunting, he was being honest. “I think one of our strengths is also a weakness for us. We can handle adversity extremely well. No matter what happens, we just go with it. You saw that last year in the playoffs many times.” He said this during a practice session at Prudential Center. However, this time, adversity didn’t strike, but the Oilers took back their lead and control to showcase a win.
On Friday, the Oilers took on the Islanders, aiming to snap their two-game slump. The former emerged victorious with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win. All thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s brilliance, who notched his 48th and 49th goals of the entire season and secured his sixth career 100-point campaign. But should the Oilers keep relying on Draisaitl to come through in every tough spot that they find themselves in, or is it time for the whole team to step up? Well, here comes a crucial assist from goaltender Calvin Pickard—the game-winner who reinforced the team’s resilience. But despite the win, the underlying concern remained—were the Oilers truly out of their slump?
In an interview before Friday’s matchup, Knoblauch made a statement that said little but revealed a lot! “But, you know, we’re a fragile team right now. And when things aren’t going your way, you’re finding ways to make mistakes and ultimately end up losing games,” he confessed. Indeed, a very shocking statement from the head coach, but he didn’t stop there. While acknowledging the skill and experience within the roster, he said, “I’ve mentioned before that sometimes being able to handle adversity really well is, you know, positive sometimes, hard at other times where it doesn’t necessarily incite the emergency button. Getting the guys really having to have a desire to turn it around right away until it gets really bad. But I think, yeah, I think we’re at that point.”
Perhaps trying to emphasize that the Oilers’ ability to handle adversity has sometimes prevented them from taking the correct steps before they escalate. However, the question now is: How can the Oilers open up to new perspectives while facing challenges and to put a hard stop to letting negativity affect their performance?
Knoblauch’s concerns extend past just the losses; they were about the team’s mindset. He highlighted three key points that the Oilers have incorporated—first, the confirmation that Pickard is now their starting goalie. Second, the Oilers often get caught up in comparing their progress to divisional rivals rather than focusing on their own growth. Lastly, he acknowledged that instead of looking ahead, the team had been fixating on their losses, letting negativity seep into their gameplay.
But despite the concerns, the Oilers did manage to deliver a gripping performance as soon as they were on the ice, clashing against the Islanders. With Pickard’s 25 crucial saves, and Draisaitl’s clutch overtime finish assisted by Connor McDavid, the team sealed a glorious victory. “It’s a nice individual milestone, but the two points are much bigger than any other personal record,” Draisaitl stated, highlighting the team’s focus on collective success. Perhaps it is because they have learned from their past mistakes, especially the one against the Buffalo Sabres!
Edmonton Oilers Finally Tackle Goalie Woes!
The loss against the Sabres wasn’t easy to digest. Especially with the Sabres, sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, and scoring goals in each period. It was difficult for the Oilers to close out the game, for which Knoblauch, in his post-game remarks, again reflected on the team’s experience and how it could both help and hinder them. “When you’re really good at handling adversity and you’re calm, that often you’re missing that switch to turn it on and push a little bit harder,” he added. This philosophy has served them well in the past, but, as evident in their last loss, it would have held them back if they wouldn’t have secured a win against the Islanders!
The Oilers’ struggles weren’t just about handling adversity after all. There was something deeper at play—specifically, with the goalie position. The inconsistency in net has been a major issue throughout the season, leaving the team vulnerable when they can’t afford to be. But now, with Pickard stepping in as the starting goalie at a critical juncture, things are hopeful that the goalie situation could finally be turning a corner. And, if Pickard can keep this momentum, the Oilers might just have their optimism renewed with the hope that the goaltending issues are finally over now!
As the regular season winds down, pressure is also mounting on the Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid. It’s not the ideal sentiment McDavid and the team want to hold on to as they head into the final stretch. With limited games remaining, the Oilers need to regroup quickly. They still have a shot at the playoffs, but only and only if they can address their weaknesses carefully, like they did while fixing their goalie position, and most importantly, stay consistent to find their way back to being the best!
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