Mike Babcock Mocks His Own Players After Just 3 Games.

If you were expecting Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock to pull his punches a little in front of the media after all of the controversy that surrounded his hiring this summer... guess again.

On Saturday night, Babcock was in his usual form when he stepped up to the podium to address the media after a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Before even a single question could be asked by a reporter, Babcock poked fun at his own players when he celebrated the fact that the Oilers hadn't given up a touchdown on the evening.

Babcock was of course referencing that the Oilers had given up at least 6 goals in each of their first two games this season, something that any head coach is going to be displeased about regardless of the situation they are in.

Instead the Oilers managed to limit the Kraken to just a single goal on the night, something that Babcock seemed to want to celebrate.

While it may seem like a jab at his own team, it is hard to blame Babcock for being frustrated after a pair of abysmal performances from his goaltenders to start the season.

Tristan Jarry recorded a.739 save percentage after allowing 6 goals against just 23 shots in the season opener, and that was followed by a very shaky Oilers debut for Devon Levi who allowed 7 goals on just 22 shots for a .682 save percentage in the second game of the season.

Babcock gave Levi a chance to bounce back on Saturday night however and was rewarded for that decision with Levi record a .950 save percentage against the Kraken. Babcock was asked why he went back to Levi and he explained his decision, suggesting that he felt Levi needed to get into the groove of being an Oiler.

"I just thought he seems like a confident kid," said Babcock. "I think your first game with a new organization sometimes things don't go as well, you get in your own way."

Babcock's instincts were spot on with Levi allowing just a single goal against 20 shots on Saturday night in a rare standout goaltending performance for the Oilers.