Connor McDavid calls out massive area Oilers need to improve before Game 2 of playoffs
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers have a reputation for being a team that starts slow, and in last night's playoff opener, they failed to meet their standard in the first 40 minutes.
Led by McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers were able to mount a comeback to tie the game, showing their incredible resilience - but then dropped it in a heartbreaker.
Connor McDavid points out Oilers slow start as team's problem to correct
Speaking to the media today, Connor McDavid highlighted that poor start in the first 40 minutes as the biggest thing the Oilers need to correct.
I think our group wasn't quite ready to roll right away. They were ready to go right away. I thought their first 40 minutes was really strong. We weren't able to match it. Obviously we resided out game in the third period, found a way to make it a game, but we gotta be ready to go right away.
- Connor McDavid
- Connor McDavid
McDavid and Draisaitl were still generating chances themselves in the first 2 periods, but the Oilers depth didn't wake up until the third. When they all began to pull on the rope and pressure, the superstars could lead the comeback.
Oilers need to address history of slow starts
The Oilers have been a team that chronically starts slow after any break in schedule. They started the last two seasons in brutal losing streaks and struggled after 4 Nations.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has shared that the team actually has a negative record in the first few games of the season.
It shows the Oilers can dial it up when needed, but avoiding a slow start could've been the difference in last year's Cup Final.
The Oilers can't afford to lose games at the beginning of the series - they're too valuable. Tomorrow night in LA, the Oilers need to get the split on the road and take the series back to Alberta to get an edge back.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 22 | 885 ANSWERS Connor McDavid calls out massive area Oilers need to improve before Game 2 of playoffs Do you think the Oilers are slow starters? | ||
| Yes | 853 | 96.4 % |
| No | 32 | 3.6 % |
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