Leon Draisaitl is worried about the Edmonton Oilers' play after the team's blowout 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
"It's very concerning," Draisaitl said when asked about the Oilers' defensive troubles. "Everything's very concerning, though. We're nearly 30 games in, and still don't seem to have it down or know what we are. I don't really know what to say. It's just not good enough right now."
The Oilers rank sixth in the Pacific Division with a 10-10-5 record, and have allowed an NHL-worst 95 goals.
Connor McDavid told reporters he doesn't "have any answers" regarding the Oilers' poor first period, in which Edmonton allowed four goals and registered only five shots.
McDavid did note that the team still has self-belief.
"We've still got confidence," McDavid said. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but there's still an overarching belief that we'll figure it out. Obviously, doesn't look that way right now, but at least I still feel it."
Edmonton is only two points out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with 57 games to be played, though Draisaitl emphasized an urgency for the Oilers to turn their play around.
"We're in an okay position right now, not where we wanna be, but okay," Draisaitl said. "But, time is now. Right now. Like, tomorrow. We gotta just be better. It's very simple. Just have to be better."
Stuart Skinner allowed four goals on eight shots Tuesday and now owns an .878 save percentage. Backup Calvin Pickard made 18 saves on 22 shots in relief, and saw his save percentage drop to .847.
"What are they supposed to do?" Draisaitl said in defense of his goalies. "They're part of the team too, and I'm sure they would tell you themselves that they can be better at times.
"We don't need to leave them out of everything at all times, but there's not much they can do. Like, we're giving up Grade A look after Grade A look. You can't expect a goalie to stop every single one of them and win the game 3-1. It doesn't work like that."
The Oilers return to action Saturday against the Seattle Kraken.
