EDMONTON, AB - Pause. Reset. Restart.
Rather than digging their blades into the ice to run drills, do system work and engage in board battles, the Edmonton Oilers elected to press the reset button on Monday by holding an optional practice at Rogers Place.
The decision came a day after a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings and with the Orange & Blue experiencing their first losing streak of the 2021-22 season.
"The sky is not falling," Oilers Captain Connor McDavid, who was held off the scoresheet versus LA for just the third time this year, assured.
"It's a good chance for us to reset. We had a good video session and we didn't skate, so I think there's a good chance to get a little bit of energy back. We don't want to dismiss how we've played of late and need to get back to playing our game."
Upon closer evaluation of Sunday's effort, Head Coach Dave Tippett could see the fatigue hampering his group and chose to use the day as an opportunity for some players to skate, others to train and everyone to review their recent performances.
BLOG: Pressing reset
The Oilers utilized Monday to recharge their batteries and recalibrate areas of their game following a second consecutive loss