Edmonton Oilers might just be reminding fans of the most important lesson in sports

The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to a horrific start to the season, and it’s been painful to watch. It seems like history is repeating itself, at least in the season’s early-going, and we would like to see Connor McDavid and Company snap out of this early-season slump for the second year in a row. 

It would be a tough feat, as even managing to go from a horrendous 5-12-1 record to Western Conference Champion and, oh, so close to hoisting that Stanley Cup is an accomplishment in and of itself. That said, we need to draw in a deep breath, stand back, and take in one of the most important lessons in sports and in life that the Oilers are reminding us of. 

You may have heard the entire “it’s not where you begin, it’s where you end” quip that Aubrey Marcus is credited with saying, or a variation thereof. So, maybe the Oilers are just good at getting those bad games out of the way before they turn on the jets and start winning like none other. 

Sure, the Oilers are 0-3-0, and they lost to a pair of teams we never thought in a million years they’d slip up against and lose by six combined goals at any point in the year, the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames. 

Edmonton Oilers could be reminding fans of a valuable lesson

Want more fun? Edmonton has been outscored 15 to three, and has played in as many games as goals they scored. If you want to feel worse, the Buffalo Sabres, yeah, those Sabres that haven’t made the playoffs for 13 straight seasons, went through the same torment until they somehow beat the Florida Panthers. 

Unlike the Sabres, the Oilers have layers upon layers of talent, and it’s that talent, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who will break this ultra-talented group from its current slump. Sure, it’s hard to watch, and it will continue to be hard to watch for as long as the Oilers decide to struggle. 

But just last season, they got it together and went on a magnificent run, something I anticipate them doing once again this year. They’re a hockey team that just struggles through poor starts to the season, but as they’ve proven time and again last year, they’re well aware that bad outings early won’t break the 2024-25 campaign. 

Inconsistent or consistently bad play will be throughout, but unless the Oilers are still faring so poorly come December 1st, keep Aubrey Marcus’ quote in mind. And it’s something that should be this team’s slogan from here on out, especially after the Oilers get their act together and remind us of one of sports’ (and life’s) most important lessons.