Frustrated Oilers admit the truth after 3rd loss

Things are not working out as anticipated for the Edmonton Oilers to start the 2023-24 NHL season, as they've dropped three of their first four games to fall to 1-3 and dead last in the Pacific Division. 

Their latest setback came in the form of a 4-1 loss last night against the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center in which they were outworked and outmuscled.

“We simply just got outworked. They wanted it more than us, and can’t win a game if you don’t want it,” said Edmonton winger Warren Foegele. “We’re just not clean. We’re not quick. When we are quick, we’re a dangerous team. And right now we’re not."

"We need everyone on the rope. Tonight we weren’t.”

Goaltender Jack Campbell, who had been coming off one of his best performances as an Oiler with 42 saves against Nashville earlier in the week, took the loss after allowing four goals on the 32 shots he faced. 

“It’s just unacceptable,” said Foegele of his team's effort. “It’s the NHL — you’re not going to win games just off talent. It’s work first, and then use your talent. Tonight we simply didn’t work, and we don’t even really use our talent. We didn’t really execute.” 

“Yeah, we have high expectations as a group. I just don’t have a great answer for you right now. Tonight was unacceptable and we need to be better.” 

While the Oilers boast two of the best offensive players in the world in both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl as well as a capable offensive producer in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, they're not getting what they need right now. 

“I didn’t see second and third efforts in all areas of the game, from up and down our lineup,” head coach Jay Woodcroft said. “That’s going to have to get fixed. Quickly.” 

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