**Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman Gives Honest Assessment of Team’s Struggles**
The Edmonton Oilers have had a lacklustre start to the 2025-26 NHL season, holding a 7-6-4 record and sitting fifth in the Pacific Division, trailing behind teams like the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings. While the Oilers have showcased some strong performances, consistency remains elusive.
Speaking on Tuesday in Toronto after the NHL’s annual November GM meetings, General Manager Stan Bowman gave an honest evaluation of the team’s performance so far. “Sort of the way our team has been. I don’t know if they performed really any differently than our forwards and our defence. We’re just not clicking as a group. That position gets more attention. I’m not sure it’s more of a problem,” Bowman said, indirectly addressing concerns about the team’s goaltending without placing full blame on any individual.
**Goaltending Challenges**
Starting goaltender Stuart Skinner has appeared in 12 games this season, posting a 5-4-3 record with a 2.91 goals-against average (GAA) and an .883 save percentage. While Skinner has shown flashes of strong play, his numbers lag behind some of his rivals — such as Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood, who boasts a 10-1-2 record, and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky at 8-4-0. Notably, Skinner has struggled against Bobrovsky in the last two Stanley Cup Finals (2024 and 2025).
Backup goalie Calvin Pickard has appeared in six games, recording a 2-2-1 record with a 4.00 GAA and a .836 save percentage.
Bowman emphasized that inconsistency has affected the entire team: “We’ve had ups and downs throughout with both goalies, the defence and the forwards. It would probably be clearer if [goaltending was] costing us games night after night, but that’s just not it. We’ve had other things that have been costing us just as much.”
**Team Offense and Defense**
Offensively, Edmonton averages 3.06 goals per game, but defensively, they allow 3.47 goals against per game, highlighting ongoing concerns in defensive play. On the positive side, their power play remains a bright spot, ranking third in the NHL at an impressive 32.6 percent success rate.
Captain Connor McDavid leads the team with 24 points this season, continuing to be a critical driver for the Oilers’ offense.
**Oilers’ Recent Overtime Win Over Columbus**
The Oilers snapped their three-game losing streak with a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Jack Roslovic scored the game-winning goal just 56 seconds into overtime.
Connor McDavid was instrumental in the comeback, scoring two goals in the third period and inspiring the team down the stretch. After the game, coach Kris Knoblauch praised McDavid’s effort, saying, “He just willed the team to win.”
Stuart Skinner contributed 18 saves in the victory, and defenseman Jake Walman added two goals for Edmonton.
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As the season progresses, the Oilers will look to solve their inconsistencies and build momentum with strong contributions across all positions. Fans will be hoping the team can capitalize on their offensive talents and tighten up defensively to climb the Pacific Division standings.
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