3 Takeaways from Oilers’ disheartening 4-3 loss to Stars
By Paul Taylor
2) Too many mistakes
We’ve written previously about how the Oilers are just lacking focus and consistency right now, which in turn lends itself towards too many mental errors. Thursday night was (another) classic example of just this.
Cody Ceci made the crucial mistake on the visitor’s opening goal, with an inexcusable pinch. Then after the Oilers had got it back to 1-1, the Stars regained the lead in the second period thanks to an ill-timed Dylan Holloway change after Philip Broberg had executed a poor dump-in.
However, the most costly mistake came on what was ultimately the Stars’ winning goal. McDavid and Evan Bouchard — who has been a chief culprit this season when it comes to errors — got crossed up and Roope Hintz took advantage with his second goal of the game.
Not that the mental miscues on the night were limited to the players, with Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft also guilty. When they pulled the goalie late on in search of the tying goal, he didn’t have Gagner on the ice, even though the forward was clearly the team’s best offensive threat on the night.
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Woodcroft did his best to explain what happened, although the way it all played out was of his own doing and ultimately avoidable, if Gagner had just been on the ice in the first place. Speaking to the media, he said:
"“He was next player up for us, but we didn’t get a whistle or an opportunity because we were in the offensive zone.”"
The only thing consistent about the Oilers through nine games is the errors, which is undoubtedly concerning no matter how potent the offence can be. Speaking postgame to the media, Kane said:
"“We just made too many boo-boos tonight. Again. Three of their goals are odd-man rushes, and they end up in the back of our net every time. We can’t expect to score four, five goals every night. It’s just not realistic.”"