The Oilers have a long and concerning list of things they need to do better after losing to the Kings back-to-back.

The Edmonton Oilers are a team built on high expectations. With the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, they’ve been seen as perennial contenders in the Western Conference, if not the league. However, recent back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Kings have cast doubt on their playoff potential, highlighting deep-rooted issues within their system that need urgent attention.

The Oilers’ recent setbacks come in the midst of a season where consistency has been their Achilles’ heel. While individual brilliance is often enough to secure victories, the team’s collective shortcomings have been glaring in games against high-quality opponents like the Kings. A closer examination of the areas where the Oilers need to improve reveals that the problem is multifaceted, spanning from defensive breakdowns to offensive stagnation and even roster management.

Perhaps the most pressing issue for the Oilers after these losses is their defensive play. In both games against the Kings, the Oilers showed glaring defensive lapses, particularly in terms of coverage in front of their own net and failure to clear the puck under pressure. The Oilers’ defensemen have been inconsistent in their ability to break up plays and maintain defensive structure, leaving goaltenders like Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell exposed.

• Too Many Mental Mistakes: The Oilers’ blue line has been riddled with mental mistakes. Whether it’s misreading a play, failing to cover an open man, or making an ill-timed pinch at the wrong moment, these mental errors have cost them crucial goals. In particular, they’ve been slow to react to loose pucks or turnovers, allowing opposing forwards to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
• Defensive Depth Issues: The Oilers’ depth on defense has been another concern. While Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie provide some stability offensively, neither has been the lockdown defender the Oilers need in key situations. Evan Bouchard has shown flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. The lack of a true shutdown pair has left the Oilers vulnerable in tight games, particularly against aggressive teams like the Kings, who are known for pressuring the opposition’s zone.
• Goaltending Inconsistencies: Although Skinner and Campbell have been decent at times, there have been moments of inconsistency, with questionable rebounds and positioning during these back-to-back losses. This is not to say they are solely to blame, but the Oilers’ defensive lapses have made their jobs harder.
• The Oilers need to invest in defensive accountability from the top down. The team has relied too heavily on their offensive prowess, and it’s starting to show in the defensive zone. Defensive pairings should be restructured to ensure better balance and accountability. Nurse needs to play with more composure, and the team needs a stronger defensive forward presence to help out the D-corp.
• More efficient puck clearing and limiting the high-danger chances in front of their net are key. When under pressure, quick and decisive puck movement is vital. The Oilers need to do a better job of getting the puck out of their zone quickly and efficiently, rather than waiting for breakdowns.

For a team with one of the most potent power plays in the league, the Oilers have been surprisingly ineffective in recent games, particularly when they’ve needed it most. Against the Kings, despite numerous opportunities on the man advantage, the Oilers failed to capitalize on key moments.

•  The Oilers’ power play, which thrives on speed and creativity, has looked static. The usual flow of the McDavid-Draisaitl combination seems bogged down by a lack of movement and quick passing. Opponents, including the Kings, have figured out how to shut down the Oilers’ main weapons by limiting McDavid’s ability to make plays with speed. There have been too many moments where the Oilers’ power play became predictable, allowing penalty killers to collapse in front of the net and disrupt their setup.
• Struggles to Adjust: The Oilers have yet to show the adaptability required to break down penalty kill schemes. Against the Kings, their power play appeared to struggle with adjustments after failing to score on their initial attempts. Instead of switching up tactics, they became too focused on the same set plays, which allowed LA to get more aggressive.

• Simplify the Power Play: The Oilers need to focus on getting the puck to the net quickly. Their power play should move faster, focusing on short, precise passes that keep the opposition on their toes. McDavid, Draisaitl, and Barrie should look to use their speed and vision to open up lanes for shooting chances, rather than forcing the perfect setup.
• Secondary Scoring: The Oilers also need to involve their secondary players more. The reliance on McDavid and Draisaitl to do everything on the power play has led to a lack of balance. Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane need to become more involved in creating space and finishing plays.

Another area of concern for the Oilers is their lack of consistent depth scoring. While McDavid and Draisaitl are typically enough to carry the team offensively, they need help from the secondary lines to become true contenders. Against the Kings, there were too many instances where the top-heavy offensive lines struggled to create sustained pressure, leaving the team relying too heavily on a couple of players to generate offense.

• Struggling Bottom Six: The Oilers’ third and fourth lines have been unable to generate enough offense. Players like Mattias Janmark, Warren Foegele, and Derek Ryan have shown flashes but have not consistently been able to make an impact. This lack of scoring depth limits the Oilers’ offensive balance, making it easier for opponents to key in on McDavid and Draisaitl.
• Line Combinations: There’s been a lack of chemistry on some of the Oilers’ forward lines. Changing combinations, particularly on the second line, has led to inconsistency. While there is plenty of talent, the lines don’t always seem to click the way they should. The Oilers need to find more balanced lineups that allow players to play to their strengths.
• Balance the Lines: The Oilers need to ensure their depth forwards are better utilized and put in positions where they can succeed. Tinkering with line combinations is fine, but consistency is key. Having lines that play a solid two-way game and can generate offense will relieve some pressure from the top line.
• More Secondary Scoring: Players like Kane, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins need to step up. They should be taking on more responsibility and contributing regularly to the scoreboard, especially in games where McDavid and Draisaitl are being shut down.

Another area where the Oilers need to see improvement is their special teams play, both on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle. Against a team like the Kings, who capitalize on special teams opportunities, the Oilers cannot afford to be lacking in these areas.

• The Oilers’ penalty kill has been inconsistent. They often allow teams to get set up in their zone, giving up high-danger chances. Against the Kings, they struggled to clear pucks and were often caught flat-footed on key penalty kill opportunities.
• The Oilers have also been poor in the faceoff circle, particularly in the defensive zone. In tight games, losing faceoffs leads to prolonged pressure and a greater likelihood of goals against.
• Improved Special Teams: The Oilers need to focus on improving their penalty kill by being more aggressive on the puck and getting the puck out of their zone quickly. They also need to improve their faceoff proficiency, especially when they are in their own end. More attention needs to be paid to winning key draws in order to limit the opposition’s offensive zone time.

After back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Kings, the Edmonton Oilers are staring down several issues that could derail their playoff hopes if left unaddressed. From defensive breakdowns to power play inefficiencies, their team play has been inconsistent, especially when facing high-caliber competition. While McDavid and Draisaitl are still among the best in the world, the Oilers need to find a more complete game if they are to contend for a Stanley Cup. The key to getting back on track will be improving defensive play, finding balance throughout the lineup, and ensuring the special teams are as effective as they should be. If the Oilers can make these adjustments, they can still be a dangerous force in the Western Conference. However, time is running out, and these issues cannot persist if they want to take the next step toward championship contention.