The lows get lower.
Heading into the same building where they lost game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals eight months ago, the Edmonton Oilers had every reason to put their best foot forward on Thursday night. Already mired in their longest losing streak of the season, they really needed it.
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But there's a difference between needing something and doing it, and the Oilers found that out on Thursday. They didn't find the intensity they needed, and they didn't come out with the win they needed, falling 4-2 to the Florida Panthers in their fifth consecutive loss.
While the Oilers put up more of a fight against Florida than they did in their previous three losses, it still wasn't enough. They were outshot in all three periods, and even a superhuman effort from Leon Draisaitl and a late goal from Zach Hyman couldn't down the Panthers.
The Oilers may be beginning to show their age. With the oldest roster in the league, their considerable experience was a boon early in the season, when they rebounded from a slow start to embark on a two-month hot stretch that got them as high as third in the league standings.
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But since the 4 Nations break, they've looked slow and timid, as if the relentless grind of the long season is getting to them. That was particularly noticeable tonight, as they took six penalties and had no match for the Panthers' relentless checking.
Thankfully, the Oilers have time to sort this out. The trade deadline is just a week away, on March 7th, and it's becoming apparent that they can't just stand pat. They need fresh blood and fresh legs -- anything to energize and take the burden off their veteran stars.
Chief among those veterans is Mattias Ekholm, who's struggled since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 34-year-old defenceman has a lot of miles on him, and was repeatedly victimized by the Panthers on Thursday. Neither he nor his team can afford to have him play 25 minutes a night anymore.
The Oilers have one more game left on this road trip from hell, but it won't be easy: a date with the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. They couldn't avenge one Stanley Cup loss against Florida; they'll have to find a way to do it in Carolina.
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