3 major takeaways from Edmonton Oilers 6-1 loss in preseason vs Winnipeg Jets

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Sep 26, 2024 04:21 GMT

The Edmonton Oilers dropped another lopsided game, losing 6-1 to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night at the Canada Life Centre.

Connor Brown got the Edmonton Oilers on the board in the third period with his first of the preseason. Meanwhile, Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Colin Miller, Neal Pionk, Brad Lambers, and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets. Kaapo Kahkonen made 26 saves to secure the Jets’ win over the Oilers.

Here are the three major takeaways from the Edmonton Oilers' loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

3 major takeaways from Edmonton Oilers preseason loss vs Winnipeg Jets

#3. The Oilers missed their top stars

The Edmonton Oilers did not dress most of their regulars. Mattias Janmark, Connor Brown, and Brett Kulak suited up among a lineup that largely consisted of prospects and AHL players. Meanwhile, the Jets dressed a significant number of their regulars, creating an unevenly matched lineup.

As such, the Oilers never got on track in this game. The club failed to get any sort of momentum going. The Jets dominated most of the game, outshooting the Oilers 37-27. In particular, the Jets outshot Edmonton 15-5 in the second period.

Plus, the Oilers’ powerplay went 0-for-5, underscoring the lack of offensive production with the man advantage.

#2. The goaltending disappointed

Despite a mostly solid defensive game, the Oilers' goaltending did not live up to expectations. A good example is the Kyle Connor goal.

Following a turnover in the Jets’ zone, a 2-on-1 rush by Winnipeg quickly led to Mark Scheifele feeding a streaking Connor up the middle who easily beat Stuart Skinner on the breakaway. Connor made Skinner look amateurish on the play, putting the Jets up 2-0 at the time.

While the goal started with a turnover, a top-level goalie must make those types of saves to keep their team in the game. Skinner did not and the Oilers fell behind quickly in the second period.

#1. The penalty kill was a disaster

On the whole, the penalty kill gave up two goals on the night. Overall, the Jets went 2-for-3 with the man advantage.

The Lambert goal is a good example of how the Oilers were in total disarray. The goal started with a lost draw. Then, the Oilers failed to clear the zone, allowing the Jets to keep the play alive and cycle the puck.

Then, a wide-open Lambert walked in from the point and blasted a wrister to beat Collin Delia from the faceoff circle to put the game out of reach.

As a final punctuation mark, the Oilers gave up a poor shorthanded goal to make the game 6-0. With that sort of play on special teams, Edmonton will need to find answers soon.