Edmonton Oilers admit struggles without McDavid and Draisaitl after loss to Ducks
The Edmonton Oilers are struggling to score without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the lineup, and they aren’t afraid to admit it.
Monday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks was a perfect example. The Oilers dominated for large stretches but could only find two goals in a 3-2 loss. It was a frustrating game to watch for Edmonton, as they simply could not score, and every mistake they made wound up in the back of their net.
It was particularly disappointing as rookie Olivier Rodrigue was given no run support in his first NHL start. Usually, players would say that losing McDavid and Draisaitl would be an opportunity for other guys to step up, but that tune changed a bit after last night’s loss.
Darnell Nurse said he liked how the team played, but the void without those two superstars is hard to fill.
“We had lots of opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net, and we didn’t find a way to do it,” Nurse told reporters. “It’s hard slack to pick up, those two guys are usually leading the points race in the league.
“You generate the amount of chances that we generate[d] I think on most nights the guys are finding ways to put a few more in… We were definitely missing that finish tonight.”
"We had lots of opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net… That's part of the game we gotta find a way to capitalize on the chances we have & we didn't do that enough tonight."
Darnell Nurse on the #Oilers loss to the Ducks. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/SM2BzjbFAo
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 8, 2025
The Oilers did have their chances in this game, having outshot the Ducks by a massive 47-21 margin. According to MoneyPuck, Edmonton also decimated Anaheim in expected goals by a ludicrous 8.02-1.66 margin, but only managed to squeak by two goals all night.
Sure, a lot of that is Lukas Dostal playing well above his pay grade for the Ducks, but another factor is the Oilers shooters not getting the job done. It’s something that has been the story a tad bit too often for this team outside of McDavid and Draisaitl.
The powerplay was also especially anemic, mustering a measly seven shots with the man advantage despite having six chances. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch talked about the struggles of the PP without their top guns helping to run it.
“The power play wasn’t as sharp as it usually is,” Knoblauch said. “When you’re taking the guys out that are usually controlling that powerplay, it’s going to make a big difference.”
"After starting 2-0 we're disappointed, but tonight's game I feel like was one we probably shoud've won. The effort was there & I thought we deserved a better fate."
Coach Knoblauch on the end of the #Oilers four-game road trip.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/eqnmvN5YUY
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 8, 2025
The good news is that this team expects to have a fully healthy McDavid and Draisaitl in the lineup in time for the playoffs. The bad news is that this team is struggling to score without those two and that is not a great recipe for success when it comes to just how gruelling the Stanley Cup playoffs are.
It’s better to find out now than in the middle of the postseason, but things will have to change if the Oilers want to return to the final.