Edmonton is sinking to the bottom of the NHL standings. And it’s not just about gambling problems
Maxim Makarov October 14, 2024, 07:13 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
In the game against Calgary, two goals were disallowed and the Oilers hit the post two more times.
Last year’s finalist is still struggling to start the season: Chris Knobloch’s team lost both home games by a goal difference of 2-11. For many this came as a big surprise, as Edmonton did not suffer huge losses this summer and even strengthened considerably.
The Battle of Alberta is a great opportunity to get back to winning ways, as a victory over a key rival clearly adds more to the load.
With the necessary amount of energy, the Oilers started the game, scoring in the second minute: newcomer to the team Jeff Skinner was in the right place at the right time, finishing the puck into an empty net.
Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP. You can watch the video on the NHL website.
The pressure from the locals did not decrease, Calgary tried to do everything possible to prevent the rival from escaping, but at the end of the period the puck hit the net again. However, the Flames coaching staff believed that Corry Perry had scored against the rules and they were right: the referees saw goalie interference.
The home team did not start as actively in the second twenty minutes, but managed to increase their lead thanks to Derek Ryan’s puck. But Calgary’s coaches again accepted the interference and they were right. The second consecutive missed goal broke Edmonton and the initiative began to slip away from the locals. The guests entered the opponent’s half and tied the score: Rasmus Andersson scored a lovely solo goal.
Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP. You can watch the video on the NHL website.
The Oilers started the last period in the minority, but managed to find an opening; Brown went one to zero and hit the post. And then came two “injections” from “Calgary”, the goals turned out to be similar: a long positional attack and a successful game under the goal.
Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP. You can watch the video on the NHL website.
There was nothing to lose, Edmonton ran forward, hit the post again and ultimately missed another goal.
1:4 – The Oilers lost the third game in a row on their court and firmly established themselves at the bottom of the standings, the Flames, in turn, won their third consecutive victory. What can you say about Edmonton’s series of losses? Yes, the team has not yet come close to the level it had in the last playoffs: Knobloch’s players play poorly in defense, allowing each opponent to take a nickel, Stuart Skinner brings back memories of the times when Edmonton sometimes lost entire games due to For the goalies, and the attack is very slow and uncertain, including leaders McDavid and Draisaitl, most are a completely different story.
But today, in addition to the listed problems, bad luck was added: two disallowed goals, two posts can easily affect confidence, which is not much now. However, that’s what happened.
Nothing terrible has happened yet, but Edmonton needs to quickly find its way of playing and can’t delay this matter.
