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Mattias Ekholm honestly reveals reason for Oilers poor start this season
Photo credit: Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports
Mattias Ekholm recently spoke to the media, revealing how the Oilers are laboring under mental and physical exertion.
Defenseman acknowledges team is in a hole
You have to have respect for the amount of hockey we've played in the last two years. I mean, you look at Florida, they're not the same team they were in the playoffs...You gotta make sure you stay in it, obviously not give yourself too big of a hole.
There's been a realization now that, I mean, it's been some 25 games, or so...But I think the mental part is the big one.
There's been a realization now that, I mean, it's been some 25 games, or so...But I think the mental part is the big one.
There is no question the Oilers are showing signs of fatigue, which has been cited by players, analysts, and their head coach as a significant factor in their poor start to the 2025-26 season.
It shows in the general lack of intensity and aggression on the ice, and has translated to the scoreboard and the standings.
Of course, it won't get any easier, as with each passing game the work-load grows. McDavid and Draisaitl are playing huge minutes, 23:11 and 22:21 respectively.
As Mattias said during his interview, the weariness is attributed to the long playoff runs in recent years, for which Florida is also laboring and are 3-points from last place in the Atlantic.
Overall in the NHL, Florida and Edmonton have played the most number of hockey games in the last two years.
As a result, Edmonton has struggled with blown coverages, missed assignments, and missed blocks.
This defensive breakdown has been a consistent pattern, not just an isolated issue, with Ekholm often the culprit, though he's not alone to blame.
The team also has the NHL's lowest save percentage, with both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard struggling.
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