Edmonton Oilers use Montreal Canadiens to stop the bleeding
The Edmonton Oilers, a team with some of the most electrifying talents in the National Hockey League (NHL), have had their fair share of struggles over the years. Despite boasting players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and others, the team’s potential has often been undercut by inconsistencies in both offensive execution and defensive stability. As a result, the Oilers have frequently found themselves in need of a reset, a way to stop the bleeding, and get back on track after a losing streak or a rough patch in the season.
In this context, one of the most important questions has always been: which teams can the Oilers rely on to break free from their slumps and re-establish momentum? The Montreal Canadiens, despite being a franchise that has experienced its own ups and downs in recent years, has often been one of those teams that the Oilers look to in order to regain their confidence and rebuild their rhythm.
The Canadiens, a storied franchise in their own right, have faced several challenges since their last successful run deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2021. After that surprising run, the team entered a rebuilding phase with a mixture of promising young talent and aging veterans. As of the 2023-2024 season, the Canadiens were still navigating through this transition, finding themselves in the midst of a development period where success was measured more in terms of growth rather than immediate results. This presented the Oilers with an opportunity: playing against a team like Montreal could be just the tonic they needed to regain their form, stop the bleeding, and get their season back on track.
The Oilers’ Struggles and Need for a Reset
To understand why the Oilers needed a team like Montreal to stop the bleeding, it’s important to look at the struggles they were facing at the time. Despite having one of the most potent offensive duos in the league in McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers had often found themselves in defensive holes, with their goaltending inconsistent and their defensive systems porous. Whether it was a lack of discipline or miscommunication in their own zone, Edmonton had been struggling to string together consistent victories. Their power play was still one of the most dangerous in the league, but that alone was not enough to lift them over the hump when other parts of their game weren’t functioning properly.
In this environment, the Oilers had experienced a series of frustrating losses that threatened to derail their season. With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, each point mattered. A team with Stanley Cup aspirations could ill afford to lose ground in the standings, especially in a conference that was packed with teams capable of going on long winning streaks. Edmonton’s leadership, especially the dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl, had been carrying the team as much as possible, but their individual brilliance could only take the team so far. It was clear that they needed a team like Montreal, one that was in a rebuilding phase and struggling to establish its own identity, to give the Oilers a much-needed confidence boost.
The Canadiens, after all, were a team with their own set of struggles—both on the ice and in terms of their own development. The team’s roster was in a transition period, with young players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský emerging as cornerstones for the future, but with their efforts often falling short due to the inconsistency of the team as a whole. While the Canadiens had plenty of potential, their weaknesses made them vulnerable to a team like the Oilers, who were looking for an opportunity to stop their downward spiral.
The Oilers’ Game Against Montreal
When the Oilers faced off against the Canadiens, it was a game that many saw as an opportunity for the Oilers to reset and reassert their dominance. With McDavid leading the charge, the Oilers looked to use their speed and skill to overwhelm the Canadiens. For Edmonton, the key was to use their offensive firepower to jump on Montreal early and never let up. Montreal, on the other hand, had its work cut out for them: they were looking to build momentum for the future, but beating an explosive team like the Oilers would be a monumental task.
In the early stages of the game, it became clear that the Oilers were using this matchup to find their rhythm. Their offensive zone pressure was relentless, with McDavid and Draisaitl pushing the pace. McDavid, in particular, was a player who was skating with urgency, wanting to prove to both himself and his team that the Oilers could get back on track after a rough stretch. The speed of the game was evident, with Edmonton’s top players zipping through the neutral zone, creating opportunities off the rush and forcing Montreal’s defense into uncomfortable positions.
But the Canadiens, despite their struggles, were not pushovers. With players like Suzuki and Caufield leading the charge, Montreal’s attack was still dangerous. The Canadiens looked to exploit the Oilers’ defensive lapses, trying to capitalize on turnovers and quick transitions. However, the Oilers’ offensive depth, especially on the power play, proved to be the difference. Edmonton’s power play was on fire, with McDavid orchestrating plays and Draisaitl finishing off chances. Their ability to convert on special teams was a critical factor in pushing the game out of Montreal’s reach.
One of the most significant moments in the game came late in the second period. After an extended shift in the offensive zone, the Oilers were able to cycle the puck effectively, leading to a pinpoint pass from McDavid to a wide-open Draisaitl, who one-timed the puck past Montreal’s goaltender. The goal was a textbook example of the Oilers’ offensive brilliance—a perfect balance of skill, speed, and execution. For the Oilers, this goal was more than just a point on the board; it was a signal that their offense was back in full swing. After a series of frustrating losses, the team had finally found their groove again.
Stopping the Bleeding: The Role of Goaltending and Defense
While Edmonton’s offense was clearly firing on all cylinders against Montreal, the Oilers knew that stopping the bleeding also meant solidifying their defensive game and receiving strong goaltending. In this game, they were fortunate to have their goaltender, Jack Campbell, step up when needed. Campbell had faced criticism earlier in the season for his inconsistencies, but in this particular game, he stood tall when Montreal had its moments of pressure.
Campbell made key saves in the third period, denying the Canadiens’ attempts to claw their way back into the game. His performance was exactly what the Oilers needed to stop the bleeding—not just in terms of the scoreboard, but in terms of confidence. Campbell’s ability to stay calm and collected in the crease provided the Oilers with the stability they needed to maintain their lead and finish the game without any late drama.
Defensively, the Oilers made small adjustments to limit Montreal’s chances. While their defense still wasn’t perfect, they were much more committed to blocking shots and limiting high-quality scoring opportunities. The defensive corps, which had been the subject of much criticism earlier in the season, looked more structured and responsible in their own zone. This was a step forward for the Oilers, who had often been criticized for allowing too many odd-man rushes and breakaways. Against Montreal, they showed that when they committed to playing a full 200-foot game, they could protect their goaltender and keep opposing offenses at bay.
Montreal’s Struggles and the Bigger Picture
For Montreal, the game was yet another tough loss in what had been a difficult season. While the Canadiens’ young players showed flashes of brilliance, the overall inconsistency was evident. The team’s rebuild was ongoing, and while there were positive signs, the road to recovery was a long one. Montreal’s inability to contain the Oilers’ offense highlighted some of the weaknesses the Canadiens still had to address, particularly in terms of team defense and goaltending consistency.
However, there was no denying that the Canadiens had a bright future ahead of them. With young talents like Suzuki and Caufield leading the charge, and with promising prospects in the pipeline, Montreal was laying the foundation for a team that could one day contend for a playoff spot again. In many ways, the loss to the Oilers could be seen as a part of that development process—a necessary step for a young team that needed to experience both success and failure in order to grow.
The Oilers’ Reset and What Comes Next
For the Edmonton Oilers, their victory over the Montreal Canadiens was the reset they had been looking for. It wasn’t just about the two points they earned—it was about the confidence gained, the momentum built, and the reminder of what they could do when all aspects of their game were clicking. The game served as a reminder that the Oilers had the talent to go on a winning streak and put themselves back in the mix for a playoff spot, but it would take consistent effort, commitment to their defensive play, and solid goaltending to truly contend for a championship.
With this win, the Oilers had successfully stopped the bleeding, but it was only one game in a long season. The challenge moving forward was to ensure that they didn’t let their guard down and continued to build on the momentum they had regained against Montreal. The road ahead was filled with challenges, but for the Oilers, this was a crucial step in the right direction.
