What’s wrong with the Edmonton Oilers?

It wasn’t 12 months ago that we were asking the same question, culminating in the team waiving its starting goaltender and firing then-head coach Jay Woodcroft. Whether by chance or design, the Oilers subsequently went on an absolute heater, marching all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

But here we are again amidst another sluggish start. And in a Pacific Division that should offer little resistance to a team as talented as the Oilers (save for those Vegas Golden Knights), Edmonton is again running the treadmill of mediocrity. This 9-7-2 (and -7 goal differential) start is better than the hole they dug themselves last fall, but it’s still quite underwhelming for a Stanley Cup favourite.

So, where can the Oilers improve in the months ahead? Three core issues stand out to me.

The penalty kill

Anyone who has watched an Oilers game this season knows that the moment they take a penalty, an opposition goal is almost certain to follow. The Oilers have given up 16 goals against and........

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