Edmonton Oilers defenceman reveals hard truth behind loss to Vegas Golden Knights

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Finnegan Frost
November 7, 2024 (6:48)

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The Edmonton Oilers are coming off a heartbreaking last minute defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, being edged out by a score of 4-2 with 49 seconds left in the game.

All in all, The Edmonton Oilers played a respectable 40 minutes leading up to the 3rd period. With that being said, as the 3rd period developed, it became increasingly evident that the Oilers special teams are a serious problem.

The Oilers came into this matchup ranked dead last (32nd) in the NHL regarding the PK. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took a costly holding penalty mid way through the 3rd period, resulting in defenceman Noah Hanifin tying the game up at 2-2.

Despite the Oilers penalty kill being a massive contributing factor in last night's defeat, the Oilers backend is equally to blame.

The Oilers for D-pairing consisting of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard were on the ice for two costly goals, playing a huge role in the team's demise.

During a post game interview, blue-liner Mattias Ekholm spoke to the media, admitting a hard truth regarding their lacklustre effort.

«We played a good team well for 59 minutes. Disappointing loss. We have to recognize that (GW goal) better. We can't have somebody walk down (in the slot) when it is two on four in the D zone. Plain and simple,» Ekholm on Hanafin's game winner.

Indeed, disappointing loss to to say the least. Bouchard and Ekholm looked rather lost on the ice for a better portion of the game. As the Oilers top defensive pairing, it's up to them to set the standard, a task in which they failed miserably last night.