One positive moment stopped Oilers fans from spiraling after last night's blowout loss
|
Daniel Lucente
Jan 23, 2026 (9:40)
|
|
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Leon Draisaitl returned, the Edmonton Oilers got punched 6-2, but his comeback keeps this homestand from spiraling.
Thursday at Rogers Place was over in a blink. Pittsburgh scored three goals in 37 seconds, and Edmonton spent the rest of the night chasing ghosts.
The Penguins never let the Oilers settle. The final was 6-2, and it felt uglier than the scoreboard.
Edmonton is now 25-19-8, and the margin in the standings is tight. Games like that can't stack up at home.
The one thing that mattered, Draisaitl was back in the lineup after his personal absence. The room looks different when No. 29 dresses.
He didn't magically fix a broken night. He did, however, give the bench a real center to lean on when the game went sideways.
Draisaitl's season line sits at 25-42-67 in 49 games. That's the kind of production that changes how opponents defend.
Even on a rough night, his touches calm things down. His puck protection buys time for wingers to get into spots.
Leon Draisaitl steadies the Edmonton Oilers after chaos
Oilers fans were furious, but seeing No. 29 back still felt like a deep breath.
You saw it on a couple broken plays where he slowed the pace and made the simple option. That's how Edmonton survives bad starts.
The bigger fix is between the ears and on the blue line exits. Cleaner first passes, fewer freebies through the middle, and the game stops looking like pond hockey.
Jake Walman's shorthanded goal briefly gave the building a pulse. The pulse didn't last, but it showed there's still fight in there.
Now it's about Monday against the Washington Capitals. The Oilers need a response shift, not a response period.
Because if Draisaitl is back, the excuses are gone. The next win has to start from the opening faceoff.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
Paul Maurice delivers a hilarious Dustin Byfuglien line that Jets fans can't ignore
Paul Maurice delivers a hilarious Dustin Byfuglien line that Jets fans can't ignore
Previously on HockeyLatest
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 23|144 ANSWERS One positive moment stopped Oilers fans from spiraling after last night's blowout loss Does Leon Draisaitl's return change the Edmonton Oilers outlook right now? | ||
| Yes | 103 | 71.5 % |
| No | 41 | 28.5 % |
| List of polls | ||