Hockey Gods Abandon Oilers in Defensive Breakdown
The Edmonton Oilers could no longer rely on divine intervention to secure victories, as their recent run of good fortune decisively ended with a 5-4 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, November 13, 2025. After two previous wins against Columbus and Philadelphia were heavily aided by late, improbable events, the team's recurring weaknesses were laid bare at Nationwide Arena.
A Streak of Good Fortune Ends
Edmonton's luck had been remarkably strong leading up to this game. Earlier in the week, a potential game-winning goal for Philadelphia was overturned by a successful offside challenge with just 23 seconds left. In another twist, the Oilers erased a 4-3 deficit against Columbus when the Blue Jackets scored on their own net in the final minute. This time, however, the hockey gods offered help but no salvation. The Columbus Blue Jackets struck the goalpost six times, the second-highest number by any NHL team this season, yet still managed to secure the win.
Defensive Lapses Prove Costly
Despite the reprieve offered by the goalposts, the Oilers were unable to overcome their fundamental issues. Sloppy defensive zone coverage was the primary culprit, with the Blue Jackets scoring four of their five goals from high-danger areas directly in front of the net. Head coach Kris Knoblauch did not mince words in his post-game assessment, stating, "Just around our net, I thought we were a little too soft... We have to do a better job of defending that area because it’s so important."
The game-winning goal was a microcosm of the night's problems. Mathieu Olivier, a third-line enforcer, found himself uncontested in a scoring area amidst several high-priced Oilers talent—including Darnell Nurse, Jake Walman, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid—and buried a one-timer to make it 5-2 in the third period.
Defenseman Darnell Nurse acknowledged the defensive failures, saying, "We were giving up too many looks in the slot, making Picks make too many big saves. They have a lot of guys who can score when you give them time and space and we gave them too much of it today." Goaltender Calvin Pickard was unable to provide the critical saves needed to bail out the team's defensive mistakes.
Even Connor McDavid felt the shift in fortune, as a potential goal in the late second period was wiped off the board after a successful offside challenge from Columbus. The Oilers also started the game with a tepid offensive effort, managing only four shots on net in the first period, which set a negative tone for the evening.
With this loss, the Oilers are now forced to confront the reality that talent and luck can only carry a team so far, and that consistent, detailed defensive play is non-negotiable for success in the NHL.
