Recap: Slow start sinks Oilers again

You can excuse Edmonton Oilers fans who got their hopes up for last night’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings. After trouncing the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on the back of a five point performance from captain Connor McDavid earlier this week, the Oilers looked poised for another fine showing in California. Then… the puck dropped. 

For the ninth time this season the Oilers surrendered the game’s first goal on the game’s first shot. That’s… a lot. It’s an indictment of this team’s lack of preparation and compete early in games and has arguably cost them valuable points along the way. McDavid managed to make a game of things in the second period, tying the goal with another highlight reel beauty, but that was as close as the Oilers came.

To be fair, the Oilers absolutely POURED it on during the second frame, outshooting the Kings 15-1 at one point. But, as we’ve seen so often with the Oilers this season, the wheels came off in the third period.

Heading into the final frame deadlocked at two, the Oilers surrounded three unanswered goals and ended up with the L. It was another disappointing performance from this team with the game on the line, a trend that’s become all too routine this season.

Fairly or unfairly however, the Oilers don’t have much time to mourn last night’s loss. They’re back in action tomorrow night against the rough and tumble Anaheim Ducks then Saturday they’re in Northern California to take on the San Jose Sharks.