Not for a lack of trying, Edmonton fell to the Montreal Canadiens in a 4-1 loss following Saturday’s win against the Maple Leafs.

The Oilers pushed hard after falling down 3-0, but they spent most of the game trailing and couldn’t seem to find a bounce. The Canadiens’ goaltender, Jakub Dobes, out dueled Calvin Pickard – making an extra 3 saves on an equivalent shot load. Pickard’s long term future in the club is likely on thin ice; Skinner was the better goalie of the two after all and he was just traded this week to the Penguins. Edmonton will be a wagon if they can get consistent 0.900 goaltending, but with Pickard they get a consistent 0.851.

No goals were scored in the first period on Sunday afternoon. Edmonton was given a two minute long 5-on-3 powerplay early in the game, but Montreal’s defenders were well rested and ferociously fought off the odd man deficit. The powerplay proved more of a curse, as Edmonton didn’t ice their bottom lines and they couldn’t find their legs early.

The Canadiens began to run away with the game in the second, scoring a power play goal seconds after winning the draw and a snapshot from Joseph Veleno following an uncharacteristic giveaway from Connor McDavid.

Nick Suzuki scored another powerplay early in the third period following a bad crosschecking penalty from Trent Frederic. The third goal anchored Montreal’s lead and allowed them to play shut down hockey until the final buzzer scored. Edmonton pulled Pickard with five minutes left to play, but they couldn’t quite find a good bounce. The Oilers got within inches on several chances, but no dice, and no goals.

The elusive third win in a row continues to evade Edmonton. The team seemed a little too involved trying to get Leon Draisaitl his 1000th point, which might have contributed to the Habitant’s ability to defend – they always knew where the shot would be coming from.

Consistency is key. Edmonton’s expected goals scored was 4.5 for the night; the fact that they only got one goal was more of an anomaly than anything. As far as 4-1 losses go, it was a close affair.

The Oilers’ next challenge will be facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who very well may be backstopped by Stuart Skinner. For Skinner it will be a chance to show Edmonton what they’re missing; for the Oilers it’ll be a chance to light Skinner up as payback for some of the freebies he’s given up this season. Either way, it’ll be as important as a Tuesday game in December can be.