Oilers’ Connor McDavid at a loss for words after stunning flop against Senators
Anthony Scultore
|
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”861998″ player=”23765″ title=”Who%20can%20win%20the%20Cup%20in%202022″ duration=”undefined” description=”These five teams are the top contenders for the Stanley Cup in the 2021-22 NHL season.” uploaddate=”2021-09-12″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/thumb/861998_t_1631466589.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/sd/861998.mp4″]
Connor McDavid could take home all the personal accolades he wants each season. The Hart Trophy is nice and he may win another when this campaign concludes. Same thing goes for the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer, but on a team level the Oilers are a mess.
Last night, Josh Norris scored two goals, including the go-ahead tally with 3:42 to go, and the Ottawa Senators scored five third-period goals to rally for a 6-4 victory over the host Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
It was a stunning flop against the 29th ranked Sens. However, the Oilers are sinking faster than ship filled with boulders these days. If something doesn’t change soon, this team may be looking at ping-pong balls as their post-season excitement.
Connor McDavid frustrated
“I wish I had an answer,” McDavid said after another collapse. “We’re rolling along. We get a couple of chances early and we don’t finish them. We give up a 2 on 1 and that’s it.”
Ottawa rallied to tie it, 3-3, early in the third period with two goals in the span of 2:26.
Gaudette got the first when he roofed a backhand shot over Skinner’s glove at the end of a two-on-one break with Formenton for his third goal of the season. Formenton followed with his seventh goal of the season, tapping in a rebound of a Gaudette shot from the right doorstep.
Zub then gave the Senators a 4-3 lead when he zipped a wrist shot from the middle of the left circle through traffic and past a screened Skinner for his third goal of the season.
Nurse tied it just 1:37 later with his third goal of the season, snapping a wrist shot from the right circle under Murray’s blocker.
Norris then scored a power play goal for what proved to be the game-winner, beating Skinner blocker side with a wrist shot from the right circle.
When McDavid was asked if this is one of the most frustrating regular season losses he looked skyward and said, “Yeah, it’s definitely up there.”
Oilers looking for answers anywhere
The frustration is mounting throughout the entire Oilers organization. They are so desperate to right this ship that they are looking at signing Evander Kane and all his troubles for some more offense.
The NHL announced an investigation into Kane’s protocol violation which will hold up any potential new deal.
The probe stems from Kane returning home to Vancouver on Dec. 29 after testing positive eight days earlier. It was that travel without medical clearance that prompted the San Jose Sharks to terminate his contract, citing a violation of AHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
“It’s a moot point,” head coach Dave Tippet repeated over and over again.
“Both sides are still doing their due diligence,” Tippet said about the speculation. “[GM Ken Holland] and his staff told me they are looking at it.”
The Oilers’ captain also weighed in on the rumors that Kane could be joining the team.
“There’s lots of talk going around… I talked to Kenny and know about the situation,” McDavid revealed. “Right now it’s all speculation.”
It’s what McDavid said next, as the face of the NHL that has drawn some criticism.
“Evander is an amazing player,” he said. “Whatever else that has been going on isn’t something that I have looked into much.”
“I’m not here to discuss optic issues,” McDavid said regarding Kane’s previously documented issues. “If fans don’t like, or media, it is what it is. Public opinion is something that matters a lot but we are here to try and win games. If that’s what (Ken Holland) can do then he has our full support.”
Whether they sign Kane or not could be a moot point too. Unless of course he can suit up in net where the Oilers real issues are.
Edmonton is 2-6-2 in their last 10 games.
–Field Level Media contributed to this article.