The Six Game Win Streak was nice while it lasted. The Oilers finished their four game road trip with an abysmal 1-3 record. Sure, they grabbed a win against Boston on the 14th, but everything else was just….bad.
Put it this way: in the last three games against the Rangers, Blackhawks and Avalanche, the Oilers were outscored 13-3. That’s horrid. Worse yet were the apparent efforts against the Blackhawks, where they won 4-0 in an easy win. Last night, the Oilers could do no right against a hot goaltender like Varlamov and lost 5-1.
It’s a grim record for sure. Monday they play the Jets and then have a five day break before a back to back against Vancouver and Calgary. It doesn’t get any easier either: They take on the Kings on the 29th and the Ducks on the 31st. It’s going to be tough and there are hurdles like mad.
The Oilers are definitely missing Oscar Klefbom and he could not come back any sooner. Worse yet was the apparent injury of Brandon Davidson where he was cross checked from Blake Comeau.
No call on the play. No reaction from the team. Nothing. It was old Oilers hockey where someone gets hurt and the team has not even one bit of a response from them.
It’s a damn shame because Brandon Davidson has been the most underrated rookie in the NHL this season and it’s not even close. Losing Davidson and Klefbom stinks. A lot.
Edmonton Oilers Three Stars:
Honestly, this week, there are not any stars. The team stunk this week, despite a win against the Boston Bruins.
The only player that deserves a remote star is Cam Talbot, where he posted 47 saves in 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins. That’s about it.
Who deserves a star? They’ve allowed 4, 4 and 5 goals in the last three games, so certainly not the goaltending or the defence.
They’ve scored a whopping three goals in three games: 2,0,1. The offence certainly doesn’t deserve any praise.
Tough love for the Edmonton Oilers for sure this week. I can’t find any positives in those last three games. Sure, they outshot the Avalanche heavily and were equal in shots against the Rangers, I’ll give them that.
Edmonton Oilers News and Rumors:
So the NHL has the holiday freeze now in effect for any trades. Expect rumors to be the same.
However, there were some newsworthy posts around the Edmonton Oilers recently:
Matt Henderson had a scathing post at Oilersnation.com about Justin Schultz.
Oilonwhyte had a conversation with former Edmonton Oiler, Patrick O’Sullivan that is definitely worth a read.
(Side note: I’d highly recommend the book. I just completed the read and it was engaging and disturbing. There were things that a parent should never put their kid through like John O’Sullivan did to his son.)
Oilersnerdalert had some solid metrics as usual concerning the game against the New York Rangers. Do note however, that he is away from December 17th-January 8th. Darn.
Connor McDavid has been skating with the Edmonton Oilers again.
Around the League:
Montreal Canadiens Legend, Dickie Moore, passed away at 84.
Like Jaromir Jagr? Sportsnet Magazine recently did an Oral History of Jagr.
Bad News for the Canucks: Henrik Sedin to miss second straight game due to injury.
Ryan Johansen could be traded according to Blue Jackets President, John Davidson. This comes after Johansen was a healthy scratch in a 7-5 win over the Arizona Coyotes
Stockton beat Bakersfield in an AHL outdoor game in Sacramento yesterday. The game was moved to Saturday after a rain delay on Friday.
NHL All Star Vote Leader John Scott was put on waivers.
Canada destroyed Belarus 7-1 in an exhibition game in preparation for the World Junior Tournament.
Highlights:
Colton Parayko had a beauty against Calgary
As did Alex Ovechkin against the Lightning
Jimmy Howard had a nice save on Alexander Burrows
The Week Ahead
It’s a slow week for the Oilers with only two days taking place over the span of five days: they play hosts to Winnipeg on Monday and Vancouver on Saturday.
That’s the week that was. Follow me on Twitter and have a happy holidays!
