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Huska said that team discipline was key.
“The number 1 thing for us is we took one minor penalty. In prior years, games against this team, we’ve taken four or five minors and you don’t give yourselves a chance because their power play is too good.”
Dan Vladar had 24 saves in the Calgary net.
“Obviously, a couple bounces went our way, which I haven’t seen in a lot of games,” he said. “So, I’m happy for that, but that’s the first week so we’ve got to keep going and getting even better.”
The Oilers had two goals called back on video review, including one for goaltender interference against Corey Perry which mystified and enraged the Edmonton fan base.
“The first one, I knew he was standing there but by the time the shot came, I think he was out of the crease. I don’t really know,” Vladar said of the Perry call. “I just know my blocker got kind of stuck there, but to be honest with you, I thought it was a regular goal. But then I saw it from the top view and I saw there was a collision, so I’m happy it got overturned.
“I know from my experience it’s usually 70-30 in favour of the players, right? But I owe a 24 pack to the video coaches there. Two-for-two, so a 24 pack.”
As for Edmonton, most have the Oilers down as a Stanley Cup favourite after making it all the way to Game 7 of the finals last season before losing out to the Florida Panthers.
However, much like last season’s dreadful 2-9-1 start that ended up costing coach Jay Woodcroft his job, the Oilers are 0-3 to begin the current campaign and have been outscored 15-3 in those three contests, all at home.
“I’m sure there is lots of ways to explain it, but ultimately it hasn’t been good enough,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “I’ve said that numerous times here, up and down the lineup, myself first and foremost, everybody could be better and everybody will be better.
“We’re not quitters in here, we never have been. Losing three in a row off the bat is not ideal, but it is nothing we can’t work out of.”
Jeff Skinner’s first goal as an Oiler was Edmonton’s lone tally.
The penalty kill has been a major cause for concern thus far for the Oilers. Although they kept Calgary from scoring with the man advantage, in their first two games they allowed five opposition power-play goals, not even making a single save on the penalty kill in those matches.
By contrast, they allowed only four power-play goals in 25 games in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2024.
Shane Jones, The Canadian Press
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Calgary Flames’ Matthew Coronato (27) and Justin Kirkland (58) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period NHL action in Edmonton, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
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