The Edmonton Oilers entered Saturday’s game with a lot of pressure on their heads, having lost three of their last five games. Once the buzzer went off, they had no option but to win against the Avs. Only, things didn’t go according to plan.
The Colorado Avalanche systematically dismantled the Oilers to lodge a massive 9-1 win as Nathan MacKinnon racked up four points on the night.
One stat that emerged after the game painted the Oilers’ humiliation in bright colors.
What Does This Humiliating Loss Mean for the Oilers’ Season?
The Oilers entered this season as one of the clear favorites, and while the Avs have been strong, many assumed that they were past their 2022 glory days. After all, the franchise hadn’t made it past the second round of the playoffs since their Stanley Cup victory.
Meanwhile, the Oilers, despite their recent hiccups, were still back-to-back finalists with two of the best players in the league. However, last night the Avalanche clearly proved that they are the top dogs this year.
Four points from MacKinnon and another two goals from Cale Makar made sure that by the time the final buzzer went off, the scoreboard read 9-1. However, even more humiliating was the fact that with this loss, the Oilers have tied for their worst defeat at home in terms of goal margin. Their previous humiliation came at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres back in 2009 when the franchise beat the Oilers 10-2 at Rogers Place.
How The Oilers Crumbled Against Colorado
The Avs took advantage of all of Edmonton’s inconsistencies and put a bright light on all their flaws.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t mince his words when he gave his take after the game. “We’re not even close,” Knoblauch said. “There’s a team that’s playing really well, and we’re not.”
Despite having top-level talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the franchise has been unable to seize any semblance of momentum this season. The Oilers’ scoring problems have been documented time and again, and if this was their response to those assessments, it was a sorry one.
Last night, McDavid was the only forward to put the puck in the net.
But what’s even more troubling for the Oilers is their place in the Pacific Division. After this loss, they currently stand seventh, firmly out of playoff contention, even if it’s early days.
While experts argue that there are still more than 66 games remaining to decide Edmonton’s playoff hopes, the franchise needs to figure out a game plan soon, or Knoblauch will have to find a new job all on his own.
