The Edmonton Oilers slept walked through all of pre-season and thought that they could flip a switch and turn things on once the regular season began. That has proven to be false as the Oilers lose to the Flames 4-1 and are now 0-3 to start the season. In these three games the Oilers have been outscored 15-3.

I don't want to talk about the disallowed goals from the Flames game or some of the questionable reffing calls. That is going to happen throughout the season and is simply an excuse that takes away from the real narrative. So far this team simply has not been good enough. Most damning, it's been the Oilers best players that have been the real problem.

McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Hyman, Nurse and Skinner. These six players are key most of the main core of this team (Ekholm and Bouchard have been fine so far) and none of them have been anywhere close to good enough yet. The McDavid-Hyman-RNH line has probably been the Oilers worst line throughout the beginning of the season. They have lacked any level of pace, urgency, or consistency to their game and at some times have looked completely disinterested.

Onto Stuart Skinner and his performance. I think it is way too soon to be hitting the panic button on his performance. The defense and the forwards have lacked any pressure in their own zone. I look at the goal scored by Justin Kirkland last night (a great story for the 28 year old scoring his first NHL goal), that was a result of numerous failed attempts by the Oilers at 5 on 5 to get the puck out of their own end. Skinner has not been good enough, that is true, but I find it hard to judge his performance until we see an actual system in front of him.

The good news is the new additions have not been an issue. Jeff Skinner had a good performance against the Flames as did Arvidsson who has been solid and come exactly as advertised through the first three games of the season. The fourth line has also been a solid energy line that arguably should have had a couple goals to their name against the Flames.

I normally don't like talking about the number of hits in a game but the Flames outhit Edmonton 27/13. In a game where you are struggling to keep puck possession and seem to lack energy the easiest thing you can do to try and make an impact is lay the body. The lack of urgency is one big issue, the seeming lack of desire to get involved in the play is another.

Edmonton has one more game against the Flyers on Tuesday to try and salvage at least something from what should have been an easy start to the season. Instead, very much like last season we are left with far more questions than answers.

Thanks for reading.

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