It's official, the Edmonton Oilers are a disaster. Want proof? Let's break down the closing stretch of Edmonton's 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. During the game's final 11:24, the Oilers held a lead for 2:28, the score was tied for 1:25, and the Bruins had the lead for the last 7:31. Tip your cap to the home team, roaring back after being denied by some quick whistles and bad bounces. The Bruins rode a wave of momentum, surging past the hapless Oilers, who were done in by defensive breakdowns, lazy penalties, and poor goaltending.
Boston put eight shots on goal during the final 11:24, had five shots blocked, missed the net three times, and scored four goals. In total, the Bruins had 16 shot attempts and four goals during the closing span. Edmonton's 11:24 was a nightmare. Jeff Petry missed the net on a shot attempt 60 feet from the goal, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed the target on a slapshot from 48 feet out, and Justin Schultz had a shot blocked. The Oilers attempted three shots, and didn't have a single shot on goal during the final 11:24.
How is that possible? How can the ice tilt so significantly? The Bruins put their foot on the gas and every positive from the game's opening 48:36 was eviscerated by the hungrier, stronger, faster, better team. Oilers defenceman Keith Aulie is the tin can being kicked down the road by an angry fanbase, but it's hard to place the blame on him. Sure his holding the stick penalty came at the worst possible time, fueling the Bruins onslaught, but he's an AHL defenceman who's been asked to fill gaps on the NHL's worst defensive team.
Instead, the gnarled finger of blame rests on Nikita Nikitin. He didn't defend Boston's zone entry on Loui Eriksson's game-tying goal, and was laughably undressed while taking a tripping penalty on Carl Soderberg's go-ahead goal. Far better defencemen have been relegated to the press box for much less this season. Luckily, the Oilers only have to endure another 151 games before Nikitin's bridge-to-the-future contract expires. Based on Thursday's performance the future, any future, can't get here soon enough.
Big changes have to be on the way after the Oilers' latest losing skid reached four games. Goaltending is a primary area of concern. Last season, Craig McTavish successfully acquired two career backups without giving up a roster player, but goaltender has always been a position where you get what you pay for. After shoddy netminding destroyed the Oilers last October, you would think McTavish would have brought in a proven starter to carry the load. His failures are reflected in the team's current spiral.
Defence is another pressing area of need. Aulie was pressed into action because the Oilers don't have legitimate NHL skill or depth. Edmonton blueliners fall into two categories: Either they're a work in progress, or their progression has resulted in a mediocre NHL defenceman. Jeff Petry or Justin Schultz, Martin Marincin or Oscar Klefbom, Mark Fayne or Andrew Ference. At this point, it's hard to imagine Oiler fans care who stays and who goes, as long as the new faces are an upgrade over the old ones.
Finally, the Oilers need help up front. Taylor Hall has missed the last two games, and the team has responded with three goals. It's obvious the team doesn't have the horses to pick up the slack in Hall's absence, and failing to record a shot in the final 11:24 tells you everything you need to know. The Oilers can't win the puck, possess it, drive the play, and force offensive zone faceoffs late in games. Nobody should be safe after being blitzed, burned, and buried by the Bruins. Stay tuned, because change is inevitable.
***
Be sure to submit your queries for Friday’s Burning Questions. Every topic will be handled, from the latest Oilers loss to my favorite type of pie. If you have a burning question (or just a mildly irritating question) feel free to either drop an e-mail or hit me up on Twitter. All questions submitted will be answered.
[email protected]
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»