The Edmonton Oilers failed to get a win on Thursday night in a 5-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Part of the problem was a poor first period and some lackluster play at points throughout the game, with Edmonton trying to overplay the game and not working hard enough to compete with a rougher, tougher Blue Jackets club willing to get big, blue-collar goals.
“Just around our net. I thought we were a little too soft around the net, whether they were deflecting pucks or getting into us, multiple goals like that,” Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said. He explained that the team didn’t do a good enough job of making it harder to get into position. “Too often they were left alone in front of the net, with Picks alone.” This was evident from a handful of goals conceded. In the first, Evan Bouchard let Mathieu Olivier into position. On the second, neither Bouchard nor Connor McDavid could beat Charlie Coyle in front of the net. Trent Frederic was outmuscled along the wall on the fourth goal and Jake Walman wasn’t quick enough on the Adam Fantilli goal. On the second Olivier goal, Darnell Nurse, Walman and Leon Draisaitl failed to collapse on Olivier in front.
The “too soft comment” stated former NHL player and Got Yer’ Back podcast co-host Rob Brown.
“I hate using that word, and I know you do too, Struds. You never want to call someone soft. That’s the worst thing you can ever be called in hockey. But Kris Knoblauch used that word tonight… that says a lot about the way the Oilers have been playing defense lately.”
The idea that being soft is the worst thing you can be called is disputable. That said, it’s not a name a player wants to have. It questions your toughness, your level of competition and your willingness to compete – the core qualities that define respect in the game. In other words, skills can be developed and mistakes can be corrected, but once you’re labeled “soft,” it’s a label you have to work very hard to shake off.
Oil companies continue to struggle…Are they too soft?
The Oilers have struggled to play consistent hockey this season. One of the things critics have pointed out is their lack of competition for a full 60 minutes. On Thursday night, Edmonton allowed the Columbus Blue Jackets to take a 5-2 lead after trying to gain control of the puck on bad ice, being too skillful while the Blue Jackets outplayed them, and making plays that weren’t there. Instead of pushing back and being harder to play against, the Oilers pushed but ultimately failed to make their comeback.
Knoblauch wasn’t wrong about the Oilers leaving Pickard out to dry. At the same time, some of the blame for Thursday’s loss should fall on the netminder. He now has an .800 save percentage. Pickard wasn’t good enough and wasn’t good enough in the loss.
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