Edmonton Oilers are bolstered by a consistent run of NHL heavyweights

walterpalladNovember 25, 2022

Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft addresses the players during the second period of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on October 27, 2022. Photo by Michael Reeves /Getty Images

NEW YORK — Coming up with just a 10-10-0 meat wound from the first 20 games of the season is exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need.

If it’s true that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, perhaps the scars from the brutal November schedule that make up nearly all of the NHL power teams will do them better in the long run.

One thing is for sure, December has been a curse for this team for years, and we’re happy to kick out November.

Another heavyweight looking to prove a point against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the other 2022 Western Conference finalists every time they turn around. It was 16-4-0 New Jersey, 12-5-3 Dallas, 16-4-1 Vegas, 16-4-0 New Jersey, and he followed with 13-8-0 Islanders.

Over 12 games over 26 days in November so far, Edmonton’s opponents have accumulated a whopping 142-81-22 record.

It’s no walk in the park, and the Oilers have a .500 record to prove it. But at least they’re well aware of where they need to improve. Fighting against the best team in the league to stay afloat may not be as fun as feasting on the worst team, but it certainly makes it more revealing.

You cannot quit bad habits this month.

Head coach Jay Woodcroft said he wasn’t looking for sympathy. I think it makes you stronger because you can understand it.

“It’s the best league in the world, it’s a difficult league, but we have a good team and more than we’ve shown here recently.”

All will be leveled during the season — the Oilers will theoretically have a calmer night against the likes of Anaheim, San Jose, Arizona, Ottawa and Vancouver. But in the meantime they have definitely been strengthened.

“There’s a lot to be said for that,” defenseman Brett Clack said. There are many ways to learn, adapt and grow the game and figure out how to win in different situations.

“The .500 sucks and I would have loved to have jumped out of the gate and moved up in the standings at this time of the year, but that is not always the case.

“We just bring it in every night and just keep getting better and better as a team by playing the right way.”

that’s the only option. The Oilers believe Stanley still has what it takes to be a Cup contender, so they aren’t going to complain about all the difficult teams they have to play.

As 16-time world wrestling champion Ric Flair liked to say, “If you want to be a man, you have to beat a man.” Or, for the Oilers, eight or nine in a row.

“There aren’t many teams that don’t look like the top teams,” Clack said. “Every team steps onto the ice every night. That’s what the NHL is. It’s so hard to win in this league. There’s a small difference between winning and losing, and it makes that difference.” It’s just small details here and there.”

Now the Oilers have found themselves on the wrong end of these details more than once to their liking. I’ve beaten some people, but Mistakes are killing them.

“It’s just consistency,” said defenseman Tyson Barry. “Even if he’s three minutes, he’s five minutes, he plays hockey well and then he plays stretch poorly.

“That’s something we have to fix. We’re 10-10. We have a lot of hockey games left. We’re not putting a lot of pressure on ourselves, but it’s time to start playing consistently.” came.”

They will play against the New York Rangers on Saturday. A hockey afternoon should be clear. If the Oilers pick up the pace and handle business at Madison Square Garden, it’s a good sign that they’re the same team they were in the playoffs last season. Another lack of coverage in front of the net, a string of losses, and a drop below .500 raises concerns.

At this point, I have no idea what I’m getting out of this team.

“When it comes to competition and tries, you can never go wrong,” Woodcroft said. I’m happy with people who can do it, and I approach every game with the mindset of winning, regardless of who I’m playing against.

“We are thrilled with the challenge Rangers represent.

Email: rtychkowski@postmedia.com

Twitter: @Rob_Tichkowski