The Edmonton Oilers’ early season woes continued Sunday night as they fell 4-2 to the surging Detroit Red Wings, marking their third consecutive loss and fourth in six games. The defeat, which played out at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, highlighted a growing concern for Edmonton: a sputtering offense that has yet to find its groove, even as their defensive play remains solid.
Detroit’s win was powered by a pair of two-goal performances from captain Dylan Larkin and rookie Emmitt Finne. For the Red Wings, the victory extended their winning streak to five games after an opening-night stumble against Montreal, providing a much-needed boost for a franchise that missed the playoffs for a ninth straight season last year. Larkin’s consistent production has been a driving force in Detroit’s resurgence, as he became just the third Red Wing in history to notch multiple season-opening point streaks of six or more games, joining franchise legends Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman.
On the other side, the Oilers’ struggles have been laid bare, especially for their star forwards. Leon Draisaitl, the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner, was candid about the team’s offensive issues following the loss. “It’s me that’s certainly not feeling it right now,” Draisaitl admitted. “The game changes when your top guys are feeling it and they’re creating offence. It changes the entire dynamic of the group. I just have to take a look in the mirror and figure out something to be better.”
Edmonton’s offense, which looks formidable on paper with the likes of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, has managed just 15 goals through six games—tied for the seventh-fewest in the NHL. The team has failed to score more than two goals in regulation in four straight contests, a worrying trend for a club that reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in previous seasons. Draisaitl, who has four goals this season but only one at even strength, refused to blame the team’s ever-shifting forward lines or the absence of injured winger Zach Hyman. “It takes a little bit of time, but it’s not that,” he said. “It’s certainly not for a lack of effort. Everyone’s trying really hard, but it’s tough going right now. We’ve just got to be better.”
McDavid, meanwhile, has tallied seven points—all assists—but remains goalless through six games, the longest season-opening goal drought of his career. Analytics back up the notion that McDavid has been more snakebitten than sluggish. According to advanced metrics, he leads the NHL’s “unluckiest” players with an Individual Expected Goals (iXG) of 2.73, meaning he’s generated enough high-quality chances to expect nearly three goals, but none have found the net. “We’re just not scoring enough,” Draisaitl reiterated. “We’re playing fine defensively. You’re not going to win many games when you score one or two goals.”
Adding to the Oilers’ offensive frustrations is the curious case of David Tomasek. The newcomer, who ranks fourth in the league’s “unluckiest” list with an iXG of 1.96 and no goals, was made a healthy scratch against Detroit. The move by head coach Kris Knoblauch raised eyebrows, given Edmonton’s early scoring drought and Tomasek’s ability to generate chances. “Even when a player doesn’t score, you can assess the level and quality of his scoring chances,” one analysis noted. “Both McDavid and Draisaitl have been getting chances, which at some point will translate into goals.” For now, patience seems to be the prescription, but pressure is mounting.
Despite the Oilers’ offensive dry spell, there have been bright spots. Noah Philp, who spent three games as a healthy scratch, scored in his second consecutive appearance Sunday and added two hits. Philp now has two goals and five shots in three outings this season, making the Oilers’ lineup decisions increasingly complex. If he continues to produce, Philp could solidify a role in the team’s bottom-six rotation.
Sunday’s game itself was a showcase for Detroit’s young talent and veteran leadership. After a scoreless first period, Larkin broke the deadlock early in the second, and Finne doubled the lead midway through the frame. Philp got Edmonton on the board with his second goal of the season, but Larkin restored Detroit’s two-goal cushion late in the third. Edmonton pressed hard, with Draisaitl finding himself all alone with a chance to tie the game late, only to lose control of the puck—a moment that seemed to encapsulate the Oilers’ current struggles. Moments later, Finne sealed the win with an empty-netter.
Goaltending played its part as well. Detroit’s John Gibson made 16 saves, including a crucial stop on McDavid midway through the third period, while Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner turned aside 21 shots. Gibson’s timely saves helped Detroit secure its first win over Edmonton in their last eight meetings, snapping the Oilers’ longest active point streak against a single opponent.
As the Oilers look to regroup, some context is important. The team has played a lot of hockey in recent years, with deep playoff runs potentially catching up to them. “We’ve played an awful lot of hockey the last three years,” Draisaitl acknowledged. “There comes a time where maybe it catches up to you a little bit. But we’ve got to find a way to push through it.”
Statistically, Edmonton finds itself ranked 24th in league scoring (2.5 goals per game) and 12th in goals against (2.8 per game), with a goal differential of -2. Their power-play conversion rate stands at 17.65% (three goals on 17 chances), while the team has managed just one shorthanded goal. The Oilers’ next test comes Tuesday night as they wrap up a five-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators, for their part, have scored 19 goals in six games—good for 10th in the league—but have struggled defensively, conceding 30 goals to rank last in the NHL. Expert predictions forecast a high-scoring affair, with some expecting the Oilers to edge the Senators in a close contest.
With frustration mounting and patience wearing thin, the Oilers are at a crossroads early in the season. The effort and underlying numbers suggest a turnaround could be on the horizon, but until Edmonton’s stars start converting chances into goals, the pressure will only intensify. Tuesday’s matchup in Ottawa offers another chance for the Oilers to find their scoring touch, snap their losing streak, and restore some confidence before returning home.
