What’s behind the Oiler’s recent run of losing?

Nov 12, 2022; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) shoots the puck during the first period against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) shoots the puck during the first period against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Seems only fitting to see a freeze frame of a Bouch bomb after he got the monkey off his back and scored three goals in two games.

But, it wasn’t looking good there for a while. The Edmonton Oilers had a run there where they had a tough schedule against solid opponents and lost four in a row, earning only a single point in an OT loss to Vegas. First it was a 3-1 loss to LA, a critical loss to a division opponent that we are currently chasing in the standings.

Then there was the OT loss to Vegas, a team I certainly didn’t expect to resurrect itself from the dead in the first quarter of the season. Still lots of time for them to implode, though. Anyway, that was followed by a 5-2 loss to New Jersey and a 3-0 loss to the Islanders. Although they’ve managed to snap this losing streak of late with wins against the Rangers and Panthers, there’s still some concern about what is behind that losing streak and even in the winning there’s still some cracks showing in the armor that weren’t there last season.

Let’s go through the reasons as to some of that now.