Another humiliating defeat for the Oilers

When the Oilers fired Jay Woodcroft, did they really think it would solve all their problems in front of the net?

Edmonton won its first two games under Kris Knoblauch, but lost its last three. And during that losing streak, the club allowed 17 goals. That’s an average of 5.66 goals per game…

Yesterday, Connor McDavid’s team lost again, this time by a score of 6-3. Stuart Skinner started the game, but was withdrawn after 15 minutes. Why was he pulled? Because he’ s no good, allowing four goals on 12 shots.

Four goals in the first 15 minutes?

The @Canes came to play tonight.

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/ntgYH7eb30

– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023

Oilers classic…

In relief of the number one goaltender, Calvin Pickard did relatively well, giving his team a chance to win. He allowed one goal on 14 shots, but Edmonton still dropped the game.

Connor McDavid continued to make headlines for his spectacular plays, but he must be tired, sincerely…

Checking in on McDavid… pic.twitter.com/gA4db9hjTL

– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 23, 2023

But what shocks me about Edmonton is that, despite all the expectations, the team doesn’t seem serious.

Have you ever heard the saying: “You play the way you train”? In any case, it applies very well to the Oilers of 2023. In the images below, you can see one of the most embarrassing pre-game warm-ups in history. I don’t even think I’m exaggerating…

Oilers warmups tonight sums up how things are going in Edmonton… pic.twitter.com/ULiP8WEd72

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 23, 2023

First, Skinner wanted to pay the Hurricanes a visit, and then Darnell Nurse received a puck in the face.

Helmets are important, kids…

In short, a humiliating defeat for the Oilers, in every sense of the word.

As Frank Seravalli points out, Alberta’s playoff chances have never been slimmer.

Inexplicably, #Oilers hit Thanksgiving with a season-low 44.5% shot at the playoffs, per @IneffectiveMath – really the first time they’ve been under a 50/50 coin flip.

Edmonton needs 85 points over the final 64 games (.664) to secure a spot.

– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 23, 2023

Will playoff chances push Ken Holland to remain inactive (on the trade market)? Kent Hughes certainly wouldn’t want that, and might want to trade a goalie for him…

We know that Jake Allen is making a lot of noise in Edmonton, and that Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau aren’t out of the question either.Jaroslav Halak is also an interesting option, as our colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois pointed out earlier this morning.

Still, it’s in the Habs’ DG’s best interest to wait and see. After all, maybe Holland will deal in desperation soon. In any case, a huge deal could be on the cards for both GMs.

In Brief

– A fine plateau for Sean Monahan.

11 seasons. 700 games. Only 1 Mony.

Mony’s come a long way #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ykadrCoTs2

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 23, 2023

– The Rocket breaks it up in overtime.

– Not ideal.

The Habs give up the most rush chances in the league by far https://t.co/Ydwo2JDTaq

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 22, 2023

– Pop is a legend.

Coach Popovich grabs the mic and tells the crowd to stop booing Kawhi Leonard.

(: @BleacherReport)pic.twitter.com/yvMq7Vqnt2

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 23, 2023

– Lions defeat.

We’re back at it Friday, 6:05pm, at Norfolk Scope#Lions3R pic.twitter.com/MApfd9y9km

– Trois-Rivières Lions (@Lions3r) November 23, 2023