Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl calls out team and coaching staff after suffering third consecutive loss

The Edmonton Oilers fell 4-3 to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night in a game that exposed their ongoing struggles. The loss extended their losing streak to three games and dropped the team to 28-22-8 on the season.

It was a defeat to a Battle of Alberta rival preparing to sell at the trade deadline that left the Oilers just two points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights. More importantly, it sparked a rare public criticism from one of the team's biggest stars.

Leon Draisaitl Says Oilers Not Same Team After Extending Losing Streak

Leon Draisaitl vented his frustration in the locker room after the game. The veteran forward made it clear everyone in the organization needs to be better, and he did not exclude the coaching staff from his assessment.

Draisaitl pointed directly at the team's inability to string together wins despite making back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. "This league is too hard to just lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going," Draisaitl said.

The Edmonton star continued, "You need everybody. It starts with coaches. Everybody. You're never going to win if you have four or five guys going and it starts at the top. We can be better. Our leaders can be better. We'll take the break and regroup."

The Oilers have not won more than three in a row all season. That happened only once within the last week, which included two overtime victories. Edmonton responded with home losses of 7-3 to Minnesota and 5-2 to Toronto before the Calgary defeat.

The defensive struggles have become impossible to ignore. Tristan Jarry allowed four goals on 25 shots against Calgary, while the Flames converted two power play opportunities from Jonathan Huberdeau and Matvei Gridin.

"We're just giving up too many goals," Draisaitl said. "I don't know. Can't defend. The penalty kill is not great. But with as many things that are part of it, it's just not good enough right now." He acknowledged the goaltending needs improvement but emphasized the defensive issues start with the skaters.

"It goes hand in hand," Draisaitl said. "We got to defend better. We've got to make it easier on him. And then I'm sure he can be a little bit better, too. It's a two-way street, but it starts with us in front of him." Draisaitl sounded an urgent call as the Olympic break begins Friday.

The Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division but hold just a one-point edge over the Anaheim Ducks for the second wild card spot. Los Angeles sits four points back with games in hand on Edmonton. The Oilers return to action February 25 against Anaheim at Honda Center.


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