The Edmonton Oilers have been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, a stunning defeat after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons. The hockey world quickly reacted to the Oilers' loss to the Anaheim Ducks, with commentary pouring in from mainstream and social media.
Oilers Captain Connor McDavid Speaks
Oilers captain Connor McDavid addressed the team's struggles: "We've been searching for consistency all year. Obviously we didn't find it here in the playoffs. That was tough. We were an average team all year. An average team with high expectations. You're going to be disappointed." When asked about injuries, McDavid added: "Yeah, too hurt. Too soon. The first round is always tough. It's always chaotic, and it's tough to play through things so early on, as many guys did in here. Credit to our staff for making guys available and making sure they're as comfortable as possible. That being said, it's not an excuse either. We expected to have a longer run than we did. Is what it is."
Coach Kris Knoblauch on Injuries and Effort
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch noted the physical toll on his squad: "We got some guys with some fractures that were playing through things that made it really difficult to play at their best. But I certainly love their effort and how they dug in, and they were absolutely not going to pull themselves out of the lineup. I thought they contributed as much as they could. We just didn't defend well enough. We pushed so hard to get into the playoffs, and then the playoffs, we had so many guys injured that we just weren't ready for it. This team has played a lot of hockey, most games the last three years, most games in the last five years. On everybody's mind was the playoffs. Unfortunately, the timing for us wasn't good."
Reactions from Media and Fans
The Cult of Hockey's Kurt Leavins tweeted: "The best thing would have been for the Oilers to win. The second best thing is for this group to get a full summer to rest, recover, get away for a while, and then re-group." Boston hockey podcaster Pete Blackburn of What Chaos wrote: "Unserious end to an unserious season for the Oilers. Happy for the Ducks, they deserve it." Oilers fan Denny Sawchuk commented: "Cue the McDavid is done in Edmonton rhetoric." Another fan, Madi, noted: "I feel like it's statistically impossible that McDavid and Draisaitl didn't draw a single penalty these playoffs. Not one." Fan Goodfella added: "Let the Bruce Cassidy era begin."
Toronto hockey commentator Nick Alberga said: "Ducks played one hell of a series. Slayed a dragon. Edmonton cooked. Dallas cooked. Florida cooked. Some new blood coming to the Conference Finals. Who's going to be there with Carolina?" Veteran New York hockey writer Stan Fischler offered a critical take: "Explain please; Edmonton is one of the world's great hockey cities with the most knowledgeable, devoted fans with all the dough to build a Cup winner and they annually FLOP! Answer: They haven't a clue how to build a champ. They don't get it. YOU NEED GOALTENDING! McD=leaderless. How long is it — a decade — thousands have shouted to those brain-locked in Edmonton; GET A GOALIE WHO STOPS PUCKS, not poets with a dumpster of alibis after every playoff. UGH! I FORGOT, perhaps there's a goaltending allergy in Edmonton that still requires a crease vaccine."
As the Oilers face an offseason of questions, one thing is clear: what comes next in Edmonton will be closely watched by the hockey world.
