The Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of another mediocre start to the season, currently sitting at 5–5–1 and a .500 record.
Goals have been hard to come by with just 27 on the year (29th in the NHL), they’ve allowed 36 goals against (21st in the NHL), and their goal differential is at -9 (26th in the NHL). It has not been the start many were hoping for after a similar situation last year left them playing catch-up almost all season long.
However, the Oilers have found immense success when they get emotionally invested in the game via a fight. So far this season, the Oilers have the second most major penalties with seven, one fewer than the New Jersey Devils but the Devils have played three more games than the Oilers.
The Oilers have had players fight in five games, and have a perfect 5–0–0 record in those games:
Game 4: October 15, 2024, Oilers vs. Flyers
In Game 4, the Oilers went down 2–0 in the first period, then fought back to even the score in the second period, but the Philadelphia Flyers took the lead back with under a minute left in the second to make it 3–2.
At 10:02 of the third period, two fights broke out: Troy Stecher versus Sean Couturier, and Corey Perry with Joel Farabee.
Six minutes later, the Oilers tied the game on a goal from Evan Bouchard, and went on to win it in overtime.
Game 5: October 17, 2024, Oilers @ Predators
In Game 5, the Nashville Predators went up 1–0 off a goal from Filip Forsberg. At 17:17 of the first period, Darnell Nurse fought Michael McCarron.
Just 20 seconds later, the Oilers tied the game off a goal from Brett Kulak, and the Oilers never looked back. Jeff Skinner scored to take the lead midway through the second period and the Predators were not able to even the game after that.
Game 8: October 25, 2024, Oilers vs. Penguins
In Game 8, the Oilers were dominant and led for the majority of the game. In a shutout win, Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winner midway through the second period, and the Oilers added another three goals after that. The fight in this game came close to the end of the third period between Nurse and Marcus Pettersson. This fight wasn’t a catalyst to a comeback like the previous ones were.
Game 9: October 27, 2024, Oilers @ Red Wings
In Game 9, the Detroit Red Wings took a 1–0 lead just three minute into the first period. The Red Wings were dominating in the first, and ended up with a 13–5 shot advantage at the intermission.
However, Perry fought Joe Veleno at the end of the first period, and the Oilers took over the game from there. Draisaitl scored the equalizer eight minutes into the second period, and though the teams traded goals ultimately ending with a Draisaitl overtime winner, the Oilers were the dominant team in the second and third periods. After the first period, the Oilers outshot the Red Wings 29–13.
Game 11: October 31, 2024, Oilers @ Predators
In Game 11, the Oilers took a 2–1 lead in the first period, before the first fight of the game happened between Ty Emberson and Cole Smith. Following that fight, the Oiler scored two consecutive goals until another fight broke out between Vasily Podkolzin and Jeremy Lauzon. The Oilers scored another goal after that fight to end the game 5–1.
The key to success?
It’s definitely not sustainable or reasonable to expect the Oilers to fight in every game they play this season. The real reason for the fights being effective is likely not in the fight itself, but in the emotional jolt that it leads to.
The Oilers are a very good team, but this season, it seems like they need something to wake them up before they play at their best. Early on, fights have done the trick. However, if the Oilers want sustained success, they’re going to have to find another way to motivate their roster, and create that emotional investment on the bench.
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