The Edmonton Oilers have intensified trade talks to address lack of scoring.
The Edmonton Oilers have intensified trade talks to address lack of scoring.
EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers lose the last game of their three game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings by a 4-0 final score. They will head back to Edmonton having gone 1-2 on their road trip.
After having 13 straight games where they didn't allow more than two goals against - they have now had three games in a row where they have allowed at least three goals against.
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Looking at MoneyPuck stats from the past few games paints a despairing picture. Against the Kings the Oilers had a 3.77 expected goals for and scored zero. Tuesday night's loss to the Vegas Golden Knights had them register 3.3 expected goals for, but only put one behind Adin Hill.
Friday night's contest against the Anaheim Ducks was a breath of fresh air - they scored five although their expected goals for was 4.24.
No doubt getting shut out by third string goalie David Rittich has lit a fire under both the team and the players.
The time might be now to pull the trigger on a move or two. The loss last night pulls the Kings three points back of the Oilers, with the Oilers having a single game in hand.
The Seattle Kraken have lost two in a row with four points separating them from the last placed playoff team in the Western Conference. The two Wild Card teams have one or more games in hand over the Kraken. Does this allow them to take offers for Jordan Eberle more seriously?
Similar story to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have also lost two straight - however they are seven points back of the two Wild Card teams. Does this cause them to cut loose from a pending UFA in Jake Guentzel?
A source told The Hockey News that the Oilers' deadline push 'might happen sooner rather than later'. They also mentioned that 'tonight spurred that'. Regardless of when they acquire a top six forward, it is clear that one is needed.
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