For the first couple of games it seemed like we might actually see the Oilers play good hockey in October; well now they’re back to normal, and it’s bad. Really bad.

Edmonton had 25 giveaways over the afternoon. Almost one giveaway every two minutes, or basically one every time the Oilers had possession. Edmonton was better in the facoff dot but that doesn’t mean much when you hand possession over for free every other shift.

Jack Hughes scored the first goal of the game assisted by Brett Pesce off a wrist shot that beat Pickard cleanly. Mattias Ekholm went to the box for holding and the Devils extended their lead with only 3 seconds of powerplay time to make the game 2-0.

The Oilers managed to strike back quickly after. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins beat the Devils netminder assisted by Connor McDavid and Jack Roslovic. If the Oilers maintained their effort from this goal, it would have been a very different game, but they collapsed in the third period and their was no turning back.

The Devils re-extended their two goal lead halfway through the third period on a short handed goal from none other than former Oiler Connor Brown. The Devils almost scored a second shorthanded goal, but Calvin Pickard was able to calm down the play and stop a complete embarasment from unfolding. The Oilers powerplay needs a serious overhaul. We are no longer in the days where the powerplay is setting records in lethality. Edmonton is 3-16 on their powerplay thus far this year, and they have let short handed goals in back-to-back games. Teams have studied the Oilers relentlessly. They know how to defend against it. Change it up.

The Oilers scored a couple goals in the dying final minutes, but it was too little, too late. It’s the same old story. Edmonton can’t find their second gear unless they’re facing a mountain of self-imposed adversity. The Islanders and the Devils are not world beaters, they might both miss the playoffs once the season is wrapped up, but the Oilers made them look deadly.

When Colorado won their cup in 2022 they looked like a force of nature all year long. Vegas looked fantastic in the year they won; Florida as well. It would be refreshing if the Oilers knew how to play strong out of the gate.

We know Edmonton can play great hockey after February, but I’m genuinely not sure if they have it in them to play good hockey before Christmas. The top players look disengaged, and it’s crazy because with all the depth scoring Edmonton has gotten recently the Oilers might be 5-0 if they put the effort in. Unfortunately the aneamic powerplay isn’t getting points and so the tope lines are pouting that the other team isn’t simply giving up goals the way Edmonton is.

Final score 5-3 New Jersey and Edmonton is on a quick trip to Detroit for another early game Sunday afternoon. After that they’ll have one more road game in Ottawa before they can go home and take a mental reset.