After starting the season with an opening night thumping of the (just as inept) Calgary Flames, and then following it up with a 2-0 victory over Florida, the Oilers were the talk of the league. People were asking if the team was for real and fans were having visions of last year's Colorado Avalanche dancing in their heads.
Then reality set in.
Since that 2-0 start, the Oilers have only won three of their previous 18 games, albeit twice against the champion Blackhawks. The team is a collective -30 in the goals for/against department, including a terrible -16 in the first period alone.
The Penalty Kill is easily the worst display of defending I have ever seen, and that includes my old Peewee hockey team. Through the first 20 games, the Oilers' PK units have allowed 26 goals, over a goal a game. Jordan Eberle has scored two beautiful shorthanded goals this year, but that is the lone bright spot for a squad that currently sits at 67.9% efficiency.
The Power Play is better, but barely. In 78 opportunities this year, it has only been able to convert 11 times. Good for 14.1% and 25th in the league. The PP has also allowed two shorthanded goa ...
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Article written by Karl Parkinson
Edmonton Oilers: Abysmal Through The First 20 Games, But Hope Springs Eternal
November 25th, 2010 by Karl Parkinson Leave a reply »
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