One reason behind Oilers slump that's affecting multiple other NHL teams
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The Oilers have only won 5 of their last 15 games, and one major reason that could be affecting their slowed pace is the aftereffects of the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament.
Connor McDavid was open and honest about his scoring slump after the 4 Nations tournament, but it's a slump that's affected multiple other star players.
Connor McDavid and Edmonton Oilers may be feeling the wear and tear of no in-season break
According to recent analysis from Sportsnet's JT Bourne, McDavid's scoring rate has dropped near .10 points per game since the 4 Nations tournament, and he isn't the only star that's seen a decline either.
Connor McDavid having a decline of scoring likely would affect the Edmonton Oilers more than any other team, or any other player too.
The Oilers rely on McDavid to produce insane levels of scoring and elevate those around him, but since the grind of the season met with best-on-best tournament, McDavid looked a little worn out. When McDavid is off his best game, the Oilers really feel the consequences.
Additionally, Mattias Ekholm has been shut down after reportedly playing through issues for months, and he also participated for Team Sweden. That's a major loss to the Oilers from the tournament, and it's surely affecting their declining defensive results now.
Edmonton Oilers need to kick it into high gear in stretch run after 4 Nations
Since the 4 Nations Faceoff, the Edmonton Oilers actually rank as the last place team in the NHL. There's some effects of fatigue on McDavid and Ekholm for sure, but the rest of the team is in a rut too.
The Oilers need to snap out of the funk as soon as possible and find their game. Home ice advantage in the playoffs is slipping away while the Oilers free fall in the standings, and if they keep up this level of play, it'll surely be a short spring.
| POLL | ||
MARS 14 | 661 ANSWERS One reason behind Oilers slump that's affecting multiple other NHL teams Do you think the 4 Nations Tournament took a toll on McDavid? | ||
| Yes, clearly tired | 610 | 92.3 % |
| No | 51 | 7.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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