What Caused The Losing Streak For The Edmonton Oilers?

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EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 27: Vancouver Canucks Goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) makes his 29th save in the third period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Vancouver Canucks on December 27, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Shots on Goal

Thursday’s game against Vancouver was the first time the Oilers managed to outshoot their opponent in the last seven games. Allowing 40 or more shots against in 3 of those matchups. In that same time-frame, the Oilers didn’t reach 30 shots on goal even once. How can you possibly expect to win when you go six consecutive games of not reaching the 30 shot mark.

The last-placed Los Angeles Kings are currently averaging 28.9 shot on goal per game. While the Oilers have averaged 27.8 shots per game in the month of the December, along with an average of 25.6 in their last seven games. This downward trend does not look good for the Oilers, and we should expect to see their placement in the standings follow this trend if it continues.

Shots on goal is a significant indicator of struggles in other categories such as time of possession, offensive zone starts, scoring chances, and of course… goals (along with many others). It was nice to see the Oilers take a step in the right direction Thursday by creating more opportunities to get pucks and people to the net despite taking a loss.

If one of those shots off the post found a way in the net, we would have had a very interesting game that could’ve very quickly gone the Oilers way.

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