The Oilers fell 4-3 to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night, which was their third consecutive loss heading into the Olympic break.
After the game, Leon Draisaitl offered a remarkably candid assessment of his team’s struggles, one that didn’t spare the goaltending issues, the defensive structure or even the coaching staff.
“It starts with coaches, like everybody,” Draisaitl said when asked about the team’s inconsistencies. “You’re never going to win if you have four or five guys going. It starts at the top.”
It was a rare public callout from the typically measured German superstar who scored two power-play goals in the losing effort and moved past Mark Messier into fourth place on the Oilers’ all-time points list on the night.
Draisaitl addresses defensive breakdowns after third straight loss
The Oilers’ alternate captain began his post-game media availability with a straightforward assessment of the team’s defensive breakdowns. When asked what went wrong with the game, Draisaitl pointed to systemic issues.
“I was just giving up too many goals. I don’t know. Just can’t defend,” he said. “Penalty kill is not great. But there’s many things that are part of it. Yeah, it’s just not good enough right now.”
Asked about the team’s ongoing struggles to find consistency 58 games into the season, Draisaitl didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, absolutely. Like, we’re just not consistent enough. And yeah, just leaks too hard, you know, to just like lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going.”
Goaltending under fire
When asked about goaltender Tristan Jarry’s comments that they need to be better and keep more pucks out, Draisaitl offered a diplomatic start before delivering a pointed message.
“It goes hand in hand. Like, we’ve got to defend better. We’ve got to make it easier on him, and then I’m sure he can be a little bit better too,” Draisaitl said. Then came the kicker: “But I think there’s saves that our goalies need to make at some point.”
Jarry allowed four goals on 25 shots and fell to 15-7-2 on the season. The Oilers have now surrendered goals on five consecutive penalty kills, with Calgary converting both power plays in the first period alone.
Draisaitl not happy with the current Oilers form compared to last seasons
Perhaps most alarming was Draisaitl’s assessment of where this team stands compared to the last two seasons when Edmonton reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
“We’re a different team. We’re not the same team. Like, we’re not as good right now. We’re not even close,” Draisaitl said. “Like, we need to understand that.”
Asked if complacency from recent success might be a factor, Draisaitl quickly dismissed the idea. He instead pointed to a more fundamental issue, which is the team’s collective effort.
“We can be better, our leaders can be better,” Draisaitl added, including himself in the critique.
The loss dropped Edmonton to 8-7-4 in their last 19 games, leaving them fourth in the Pacific Division with 20 points. Calgary, despite sitting last in the division with just 12 points, claimed the season series 3-1 over their rivals.
The Oilers’ penalty kill has become a glaring weakness time and time again this season. Their defensive structure has looked shaky for weeks. And now, with Draisaitl’s comments, the internal frustration has spilled into public view.
Oilers will turn to the break for a reset and regroup
The Olympic break couldn’t come at a better time for Edmonton, which won’t play again until February 25th when they visit Anaheim. The question is whether two weeks off will be enough to fix what Draisaitl clearly believes are systemic issues. Ones that start, in his words, “at the top.”
“We’ll take the break and regroup,” Leon Draisaitl said. “Obviously, there’s a break now, but when we come back, we’ve got to get going.”
For a team with championship aspirations, the alarm bells are ringing. And Leon Draisaitl just made sure everyone heard them.
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