The Edmonton Oilers have shown they can pull off dramatic late-game comebacks, but the team would much rather build and protect leads rather than depend on heroics in the closing minutes. It’s a sign of a mature hockey team that knows how to manage a game from the front.
Recent performances have seen the Oilers fall behind only to mount spectacular rallies. While those comebacks have been exciting for fans and have provided key points in the standings, the coaching staff would prefer to see a more complete 60-minute effort.
“Our game is a lot better when we don’t put ourselves in that position,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “We’ve shown we can come back, but we’d rather not have to.”
The team has been working on starting games with more urgency and taking away opportunities from opponents early. Special teams have also been a focus in recent practices, with the power play and penalty kill showing improvement.
Edmonton remains one of the contenders in the Western Conference, and sustained consistent play could make them even more dangerous in the playoffs.
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