Frustration with Evan Bouchard reaching fever pitch for Edmonton Oilers analysts
Photo credit: Perry Nelson -Imagn Images
In another game which the Oilers should have won, it was yet another defensive lapse that cost Edmonton a crucial two points in the standings.
«The last 10 minutes, everybody was kind of waiting for an overtime,» said Edmonton Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm.
Oilers play it safe, lack aggression throughout a full 60
Except, when you're playing not to lose, rather than to win at all cost and in every play, you have to expect for poor outcomes, like Evan Bouchard's missed assignment late in the game.
Following a loose Calvin Pickard rebound from a point shot, and a poor defensive play by Evan Bouchard in the slot, in which he failed to tie-up his man, the St. Louis Blues scored the game-winning-goal with 1:23 left to play.
The Blues won 3-2, in a game which the Oilers led 2-0
«Going back in (to the room) from that second period, knowing that you've got to win a period to win a game on the road,» Ekholm said. «We had our looks, but I think we can do a better job of imposing our will a little bit more in that third. Maybe earning that win more than we did tonight. We had some glimpses, but I think we can do more.»
Though the Oilers have failed to play the aggressive games we're used to seeing from them, it's been Evan Bouchard's continuous mental lapses that are causing the Oilers to lose games. There's no easy way to say it.
This year there have only been six players in the entire NHL that have worse plus-minus than Bouchard's minus-9, this from a defenseman earning $10.5M annually. He's providing some offense with 9 points in 14 games, but that's not winning the team games.
And still the Oilers aren't scoring enough goals to rack-up wins; they're 1-4 when they score only two goals this season. Outside of the top players, Edmonton needs more secondary scoring.
«It's early in the year, and I don't think any team is perfect at this time of the year,» Ekholm said. «These close games, just getting points all of the time matters a lot. I think there is room for improvement.»
I could not have said it better myself.
| POLL | ||
12 HOURS AGO | 153 ANSWERS Frustration with Evan Bouchard reaching fever pitch for Edmonton Oilers analysts What should the Oilers do to address Evan Bouchard's mistakes? | ||
TRENDING NOW
