(photo credits - CTV News Edmonton)
Coming off an extremely successful 2023-2024 season seeing the Edmonton Oilers make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, bring the Florida Panthers to a game 7, and a dominant performance from players such as Mcdavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, and more. With expectations being high for this season, many expected a strong start from the Oilers, but it has been everything but that.
After the first three games the Oilers are 0-3, playing against the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, and province rival Calgary Flames. Losing each game by at least three goals. The struggles of the Oilers lay in the same place they have been for years, their defense. Over these games their defensive play has been both slow and just inconsistent. Seeing players struggle with some team chemistry and defensive synchronization. Now, based on the history of the Oilers, I don’t believe in Oil country panicking just yet. Past years we have seen the Oilers have a slow start (last year) and it’s very normal to see teams struggle with team chemistry right off the bat especially after the summer break. It’s also important to remember the team missing key parts such as Kvander Kane. Kane will be missing the start of the season due to surgery healing multiple injuries sustained during the past season, currently known when his return will be.
Even with recent struggles, I wouldn’t see them carrying out the whole season. Hopefully within the next couple games fans will see the team building more chemistry, especially their main defensive core. The team will overcome struggles as players come back and raise the rankings back to Stanley Cup aspirations.
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