The Edmonton Oilers are finding themselves in a familiar position of having a slow start to their season. Last year, the Oilers made an impressive run all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, but many fans may have forgotten that their regular season began on a dismal note. In their first 12 games, the Oilers only managed to collect five points, a start so bleak that it led to a coaching change.
This season, although it has only been three games, there are already concerns about the team’s performance. After a brutal 6-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in their season opener, the Oilers followed up with a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, and then fell to the Calgary Flames 4-1 in their most recent game. Scoring just three goals while conceding 12 in three games is certainly cause for worry.
It’s hard to determine at this stage whether the Oilers’ struggles are purely due to bad luck, given the small sample size of games. However, the team’s shooting and save percentages are significantly lower than the league averages. Currently, the Oilers are shooting at a 3.2% rate in all situations, ranking last in the NHL, while their goaltenders are stopping just 78.3% of shots, ranking 31st in the league.
Despite their poor start, every team experiences fluctuations in luck over time, and the Oilers may be going through a rough patch early in the season. It is important to observe more games to truly assess the talent and weaknesses of this team. The expected goal rates of the Oilers suggest that they are not being outplayed territorially, but rather are struggling to convert their chances while conceding goals at a high rate.
While games are ultimately won by real goals, the underlying statistics indicate that the Oilers may be due for a turnaround in their fortunes. Each shot they take seems to be hitting the goalie’s chest, while every shot they concede ends up in the back of their net. This combination of poor shooting luck and defensive lapses is a recipe for disaster for any team in the league.