The Edmonton Oilers came out with a post-Christmas stinker, losing 5-1 to the Flames. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in, and also discuss a radical theory on how to better employ Connor McDavid and badly slumping Leon Draisaitl at even strength.

Some iffy refereeing and some iffy defending by the Oilers led to Edmonton blowing a 2-1 lead to the Vancouver Canucks and losing 4-2. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

Josh Archibald and Riley Sheahan have played regularly together this year on the checking line of the Edmonton Oilers where they've done heroic work on the penalty kill but have accomplished little at even strength, at least on the attack. Until Saturday night, Dec. 21 against the Montreal Canadiens that is. Both Archibald and Sheahan scored, Archibald just his second of the year, Sheahan his third. Their effort was the key in pushing Edmonton to a hard won 4-3 win over the Habs. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

Oilers goalie Mike Smith is in a deep and prolonged slump, and he wasn't at his best as the Edmonton Oilers lost 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. What are the Oilers to do? David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

The Edmonton lost 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues, despite a great game from Mikko Koskinen. But mental errors and an equally hot St. Louis goalie, Jake Allen, saw Edmonton lose. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

The Edmonton Oilers finally played a disciplined defensive game, toughing out a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars, and ending a four game losing streak. Adam Larsson and Mikko Koskinen led the way. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

Until the top attackers on the Edmonton Oilers start to play the game with more defensive intensity and awareness, Edmonton is going to keep on losing. They have now lost four in a row, and sit with 18 wins and 17 losses after 35 games. And you can't blame this one on the goalie. Mikko Koskinen of Edmonton made many fine saves. But key defensive errors by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl saw the team get behind two goals, and Edmonton could never get back into it, losing 4-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

Mike Smith couldn't make a save. The Oilers were plagued by mental errors on defence. Add it all up and they found a way to lose 6-5 to the Minnesota Wild. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

The Edmonton Oilers battled hard against the Carolina Hurricanes, fighting back from a three goal deficit, only to lose by three goals 6-3. But it wasn't enough to battle against the crafty Canes, who outsmarted the Oilers at every turn. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.

The Edmonton Oilers played a solid game, but a series of defensive lapses in overtime led to a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. David Staples and Bruce McCurdy of the Cult of Hockey dig in.