Leon Draisaitl didn’t hold back after the Edmonton Oilers dropped a 4-3 decision to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. The star forward called out the entire organization from top to bottom.
“Not consistent enough,” Draisaitl told reporters postgame.
“This league’s too hard to just lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going. You need everybody. It starts with coaches. Like, everybody. You’re never gonna win if you have four or five guys going. It starts at the top. We can be better. Our leaders can be better. We’ll take the break and regroup.”
The Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division with a 28-22-8 record. That puts them 15th overall in the NHL.
Edmonton has dropped three straight games. The team has allowed 16 goals during that stretch.
Draisaitl also pointed to goaltending issues while acknowledging the team’s defensive struggles.
“We gotta defend better, we gotta make it easier on (goaltender Tristan Jarry), and then I’m sure he can be a little bit better, too. It’s a two-way street, but it starts with us in front of him, and then the game becomes a little bit easier for him. But I think there are saves that our goalies need to make at some point.”
Jarry has posted an .870 save percentage since joining the Oilers. He’s allowed 3.64 goals per game across 11 appearances since the trade.
The Oilers reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Draisaitl believes this year’s team isn’t close to that level.
“We’re a different team. We’re not the same team. We’re not as good right now. We’re not even close. We need to understand that. It’s time. Obviously, there’s a break now, but when we come back, we gotta get going.”
Edmonton returns to action February 25 after the Olympics break.
