Oilers head coach Eakins: Friday was 'the worst day'

Dallas Eakins is not in a TGIF kind of mood.

The Edmonton Oilers head coach invoked hyperbole when asked to describe what transpired Friday.

"It's the worst day," Eakins told reporters, hours after general manager Craig MacTavish met the media to preach patience while the struggling team rebuilds.

"The worst day is when my boss and the players' boss has to come in here and get pelted with bullets and questions about the team," Eakins said. "That responsibility falls on me, my staff and the players in that room."

The Oilers have lost 11 games in a row, and the losing streak has landed them in the basement of the NHL with 17 points in 26 games.

"It's something that I take personally and, certainly, all of our players should be taking it personally," Eakins said.

Edmonton's latest defeat came in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The Oilers gave up the tying goal with just over three minutes left in regulation, then allowed the overtime winner 17 seconds into the extra frame.

"Those (losses) rip your heart out," Eakins said. "We played well enough to win and that's the biggest adjustment right now, trying to get them through it."