EDMONTON, AB - As the Oilers open 2018 with a Pacific Division showdown, they look to erase any negative vibes coming from their 5-0 loss at the hands of Winnipeg on New Year's Eve.
That night, poor effort and mental mistakes plagued an Edmonton team that has very few mulligans left. But after a hard day of practice yesterday, the Oilers are hoping they've shaken it off.
"The mood is good," said defenceman Andrej Sekera. "I think everybody was mad and disappointed in each other (after the Winnipeg game). We have got to learn from that. If we want to get where we want to go, we cannot have games like that. We skated it out yesterday and we know what we need to do to be successful."
Their 17-19-3 start to the season is a disappointment given their performance last year, which resulted in the franchise's first playoff berth since 2006.
"I don't think we've changed that much," said Sekera. "Everybody still has the same approach and everything. When things don't go your way, you try to do more and create more and things got worse. Everybody has reflected on it and we need to make sure we work hard and do our best on the ice. If we do that, I think we'll be good."
GOALS-AGAINST WOES
Last season, the Oilers allowed the eighth-fewest goals-against per game (2.52). So far this season, Edmonton has allowed the fifth-most (3.21). It's something that needs to change if the club wants to move up the standings.
One issue for the Oil with goals against has been their penalty kill. On the road this season, Edmonton ranks fifth in the League (85.1%). At home, it's a completely different story.
"It's just something at home," said Oilers Captain Connor McDavid. "On the road, our penalty kill is great - maybe even top five on the road. At home, not too sure what it is but it's definitely something we need to figure out."
Another buzzword for the Oilers is "effort." The team needs a better one against Los Angeles if they want to keep the goals-against total down and come out victorious.
"Effort. If you just go back two days, that's today and yesterday, and without out-working teams, it doesn't matter what you do systematically, or line match or defensive pairs or anything like that, you've got to at least bring your effort level up to what's acceptable at the National Hockey League level. And then from there, worry about adjusting," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan.
RETURN OF DAVIDSON?
The Oilers are likely to do some shuffling to their lineup. One possible change is defenceman Brandon Davidson suiting up for his first game since December 27.
"That's two games for me to rethink the last few games I've played and kind of go from there," Davidson said. "This is a better way for me to take a step back by taking two steps forward. I'm excited."
Davidson has played nine games for the Oilers this season, recording one assist.
-- Chris Wescott, EdmontonOilers.com
