3 Takeaways from Oilers’ lackluster 4-1 loss to Flyers
By Paul Taylor
3) First line is MIA
Well those reshuffled lines sure worked well didn’t they? For one whole game to be exact, with the all-star first line highlighting how terrible the forwards were on Thursday night.
On paper, a first line of Connor McDavid flanked by Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane, should be one that strikes fear into the opposition. Instead, the Flyers effectively crumpled up that piece of paper, with their own first line of Atkinson, Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett.
McDavid, Draisaitl and Kane could get nothing going, as they combined for a -4 plus/minus rating on the night, compared to +7 for the Flyers’ first line trio. Kane in particular, is (still) looking nothing like the player he was before his wrist surgery during last season.
As for McDavid, Thursday’s game was one he’ll want to forget in a hurry. While he notched an assist on the Oilers’ only goal, he failed to have a shot on target for just the fifth time in four seasons.
In addition, the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner had the key turnover, which allowed the Flyers to score a short-handed goal to make it 3-1. It’s tough to imagine him having a much worse game over the remainder of this season. (Famous last words …)
Turning to Draisaitl, even he was impacted by the ‘jinx’ of playing on the first line. He saw his goal streak to start the season halted one short of the Oilers’ record, as he was held without a point for the first time in 2023-24.
Speaking to the media postgame, McDavid was asked about the Oilers being outworked by the Flyers. He said:
"“Yep, I mean obviously we all have another level to get to. We haven’t been there yet this season. Lucky for us it’s only four games, but with that being said, it’s been four games, so it’s time to put our best foot forward here and starting playing better games.”"
Quote of the night
Perhaps best summing up what an out-of-sorts night it was for the Oilers, was McDavid’s response to one of the reporters. He said:
"“That was a really long question. Can you shorten that for me?”"
Next. Oilers should give Nugent-Hopkins the green light. dark
Overall, it’s still way too early in the season to be pressing any panic buttons. At the same time however, there’s no reason to be calm either, as these Oilers are just not playing up to the talent level at their disposal.