The Oilers are still displaying some bite, but January is going to be a terrible month.

The Edmonton Oilers entered January with aspirations of pushing toward the top of the NHL standings, fueled by a high-octane offense and an improving defense. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the Oilers appeared to have the firepower necessary to make a serious run at the postseason. However, as the month has unfolded, it has become apparent that January has not been kind to the Oilers, despite showing plenty of fight in their games.

While the team has displayed resilience and grit, the results have not followed as expected. From late-game collapses to inconsistency in key areas of the game, January has turned out to be a difficult month for the Oilers. But despite these challenges, the team still possesses the talent to rebound. In this article, we’ll break down why January has been particularly challenging for Edmonton, identify the specific issues the team is facing, and explore the potential solutions that could help them turn things around as they head into February.

The Oilers’ High Expectations and the Reality of January

Before diving into the specifics of what went wrong for the Oilers in January, it’s important to take a step back and consider the expectations that were placed on them at the start of the month.

After a strong start to the season, the Oilers were expected to be among the top contenders in the Western Conference. With McDavid playing at an MVP-caliber level and Draisaitl continuing to produce at a high pace, the Oilers’ offense was feared by opponents. The team’s power play was one of the most efficient in the league, and there was optimism that Jack Campbell would continue to improve in goal, providing more stability for the Oilers in net.

However, despite all the offensive firepower, Edmonton’s defense has continued to be a weak point—a vulnerability that other teams have exploited. The goaltending, while much improved from last season, still isn’t as consistent as the Oilers need it to be. And as we’ll get into later, the team’s struggles to close out games and avoid turnovers have been the primary reasons why January has been a rough month.

1. Inconsistency in Key Areas

One of the primary reasons January has been such a frustrating month for the Oilers has been their inconsistency. This isn’t a team that is falling apart by any means, but they’ve lacked the ability to put together a sustained level of high-quality play. Head coach Jay Woodcroft has worked tirelessly to address these issues, but the team continues to struggle in key areas of the game.

Defensive Inconsistency

Edmonton’s defensive game has remained a significant concern throughout the season, but January has amplified those weaknesses. Against tougher opponents, the Oilers have often been outmuscled in the defensive zone, struggling to clear pucks and allow easy opportunities on Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner. The team’s defensive breakdowns in January have been the cause of several blown leads, and opposing teams have been able to feast on Edmonton’s mistakes.

A big part of this issue has been a lack of gap control in transition. The Oilers have been caught out of position during several games in January, leading to odd-man rushes and uncontested scoring chances. While the Oilers’ offense continues to produce, the team has too often found itself trying to play catch-up after giving up early or late goals.

The lack of physicality and consistent coverage in the defensive zone is a problem that has been exacerbated in the month of January. The Oilers have struggled to establish a strong forecheck and limit second-chance opportunities, both of which are essential to defensive success in the NHL.

Goaltending Questions

Although Jack Campbell has shown flashes of brilliance at times, his inconsistency remains a glaring concern. Campbell is capable of stealing games for the Oilers, but he has also let in goals that many would consider soft. The team’s defense certainly hasn’t helped him at times, but he’s still struggled to provide the type of consistency needed from a starting goaltender.

In January, the Oilers’ goaltending has been under scrutiny, especially after several high-scoring games where they simply couldn’t get timely saves. Campbell has been up-and-down, and though Stuart Skinner has been a reliable backup, he has not yet shown that he can carry the team for extended stretches if Campbell falters.

The goalie carousel continues to be an issue for Edmonton, and until they can find more consistency in net, it will continue to hold the team back.

2. Late-Game Collapses: A Month of Missed Opportunities

In addition to defensive struggles and goaltending questions, one of the more frustrating elements of Edmonton’s January has been their inability to close out games. This has been a recurring theme throughout the month and has led to several blown leads and heartbreaking losses.

Despite holding strong leads in the third period on several occasions, the Oilers have allowed teams back into games, with some late-game collapses costing them vital points in the standings. These breakdowns are usually caused by a combination of mental lapses, turnovers, and a failure to capitalize on opportunities.

In the last minutes of regulation, the Oilers have often found themselves scrambling to protect a lead or trying to mount a comeback, leaving themselves open to counter-attacks. The team’s inability to play with the same level of urgency when ahead is a significant issue. It seems that at times, the Oilers relax and allow their opponents to take over the game.

This is something that will need to be addressed, especially as the team prepares for the more intense competition that comes with the second half of the season. The Oilers can’t afford to let games slip away in the final minutes, especially in a tightly packed Western Conference playoff race.

3. Lack of Depth Scoring: A Continuing Issue

While Edmonton’s top line of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains elite, the Oilers have struggled with their depth scoring in January. While Zach Hyman and Evander Kane continue to contribute, the Oilers’ bottom six has been a source of concern. The inability to get consistent scoring from the secondary lines has placed a significant burden on the top players to produce, and that has sometimes been unsustainable.

Edmonton needs to find more balanced contributions from all four lines if they are to make a deep playoff run. While McDavid and Draisaitl can carry the offense at times, they can’t do it all on their own, especially if the Oilers want to avoid tiring them out over the course of a long season. Players like Kailer Yamamoto, Warren Foegele, and Ryan McLeod need to step up offensively and provide some secondary scoring. Until this happens, the Oilers will continue to rely too heavily on their stars, which can lead to burnout over time.

The Oilers’ inability to get timely goals from their depth players was especially apparent in the month of January, when they were often outscored in 5-on-5 situations. Without more balanced scoring, Edmonton risks becoming overly reliant on their top line, which puts them at a disadvantage when facing stronger teams that can better neutralize McDavid and Draisaitl.

4. Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change in February

As the Oilers move into February, they will need to address several key areas of concern in order to turn things around and avoid a prolonged slump.

Defensive Improvements

First and foremost, the team’s defense needs to improve. This includes better gap control, more effective zone coverage, and improved physicality. The Oilers have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, but they need to find a way to protect leads and avoid giving up high-danger chances. Woodcroft will need to continue drilling defensive responsibilities into the team’s mindset to shore up these gaps.

Goaltending Stability

The Oilers also need more stability in goal. Whether it’s Campbell or Skinner, the Oilers need a goaltender who can provide consistent, reliable play in all situations. This may require additional focus on team defense, but the goaltending cannot continue to be a question mark if Edmonton is to be considered a true Stanley Cup contender.

Depth Scoring and Special Teams

Finally, the Oilers need more from their bottom six and secondary scoring. Players like Yamamoto and Foegele must step up and contribute offensively to relieve some of the pressure on the top line. Special teams also need to stay sharp—Edmonton has been strong on the power play, but they can’t afford to become complacent. The penalty kill will also need to improve, as inconsistency there has cost the team at times.

A Month of Struggles, but Hope for the Future

January has been a tough month for the Edmonton Oilers. The team’s defensive struggles, goaltending inconsistencies, and inability to close out games have left them frustrated and looking for answers. However, despite these challenges, the Oilers still have a roster that is built for success, and they possess the talent to turn things around.

If Edmonton can address their defensive lapses, stabilize their goaltending situation, and get more contributions from their depth players, they can quickly right the ship. As they move into February, the Oilers will need to find that consistency to complement their offensive firepower, or their playoff aspirations could be jeopardized.

The month of January has shown what the Oilers are still missing, but it has also reminded fans that the team’s success will ultimately depend on their ability to address these issues head-on. With their core intact and the potential to grow, the Oilers still have plenty of bite left in them as they push for a playoff berth and beyond.