Oilers HC Eakins after loss to Blackhawks: 'That's about as long as a game as I can remember'
The Chicago Blackhawks scored early and often in Edmonton on Saturday, resulting in a 7-1 win over the Oilers.
It was largely a game to forget for the home side, but it appears as though it may leave a lasting impression on head coach Dallas Eakins.
"That's about as long a game as I can ever remember, playing or coaching... We just couldn't recover and it got worse." - Coach Eakins
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 23, 2014
The loss marked Edmonton's sixth in a row (fourth in regulation). It dropped the Oilers into a tie with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres for the fewest points in the NHL with 14 through 21 games. This is all too familiar territory for the perpetually rebuilding club, currently in line for a top three draft pick for the fifth time in the past six years.
Two of those top picks - Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - pinned the team's Groundhog Day type struggles firmly on the backs of the players. Despite their record, the young club has showed signs of improvement this season, with positive possession numbers at even strength and a Corsi rating that ranks them 14th among all NHL teams in that category.
Yet success is still judged based primarily on wins and losses. History suggests the first shoe to drop on teams that fail to take steps forward lands on the coaching staff, meaning Eakins may be a casualty in this latest oil spill in Edmonton.
As such, Saturday's loss to the Blackhawks may soon become even more memorable for Eakins.