NHL statistics reveal disturbing trend for Oilers' goaltending

That the Oilers are ranked 3rd in expected goals against, but 29th in saves means the team is consistently allowing its opponents to generate low-quality scoring chances.

A lower xGA indicates a stronger defense, despite its occasional mistakes and turnovers. Edmonton is limiting their opponents to fewer and less dangerous shots, but getting poor goaltending, which ranks 29th in the league in actual saves.

From the offensive side, the numbers tell the team's actual story this year, that Edmonton is getting its share of scoring chances, but are not converting. Being also 3rd in Expected Goals (xG) is a very good stat. It generally indicates the team is consistently creating a high volume of quality scoring chances.

However, context is critical for a complete picture.

If a team is 3rd in xG, but not 3rd in actual goals scored, it suggests they are either unlucky or have poor finishing ability; the Oilers rank 16th in actual goals for, a huge disparity given its scoring chances.

So far this year, Edmonton has scored 29 goals and has allowed 32, a goal differential of minus 3. To state the obvious, they need to allow fewer goals and score more goals.

McDavid and Draisaitl both need to continue what they're doing and goals will come, without question; they're just too good to not convert on the number of scoring chances they've been getting.

The issue continues to be goaltending, which statistically and actually has not been good enough for a Stanley Cup contender.

The next ten games will be interesting ones for the Oilers, and very telling in terms of how Stan Bowman proceeds.