McDavid and Draisaitl both raise major problem Oilers have with all goalies
The Edmonton Oilers easily handled the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, but checked out too soon and left their goalie out to dry.
It was an emotional night for all players on the ice after their teams were shaken up by a major trade. After the game the former Oilers met the team for a final goodbye, and it was something clearly on their minds during the game.
But that doesn't excuse a new major goalie problem the Oilers seem to be showing.
McDavid and Draisaitl admit they've checked out of games early, hung goalies out to dry
The Oilers allowed 2 goals against the Penguins late in the game when it looked like the win had been wrapped up already.
Unprompted, both McDavid and Draisaitl raised the issue of their playing falling off in the final few minutes of games recently, which has hung their goalie out to dry.
MCDAVID: Jarry obviously stood in there and made some big saves for us. I wish we shut it down better for him, than that. We shouldn't have given up 4.
DRAISAITL: [Jarry's] a vet. He knows what he's doing. I think that last one, we probably want back for him. You know, for the stat line. I thought he was great.
DRAISAITL: [Jarry's] a vet. He knows what he's doing. I think that last one, we probably want back for him. You know, for the stat line. I thought he was great.
Jarry finished the game with an .867 save percentage, but the final two goals didn't come until the Oilers play had dropped off and he was facing Grade A chances on repeat. The Oilers clearly thought the game was over, but it just hung their goalie out to dry.
Draisaitl chuckled along with the comment about Jarry's stat line, but it does actually matter. The Oilers need to play to the buzzer anyway, and doing it for their new goalie is a good a reason as any.
Now highlighted by the Oilers two superstars, this should be a trend they eliminate within the next few games. Every player needs to step up, and play a full 60 for the guy beside them.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 632 ANSWERS McDavid and Draisaitl both raise major problem Oilers have with all goalies Do you think the Oilers have taken their foot off the gas in the last minutes of games this year? | ||
| Yes | 566 | 89.6 % |
| No | 66 | 10.4 % |
| List of polls | ||