The Edmonton Oilers have lost 11th straight games. We’re only in December, but it’s hard to envision the Oilers digging themselves out of their current hole. In other words, it would be very surprising at this point if Edmonton is able to avoid missing the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.
After Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Winnipeg, Oilers coach Dallas Eakins felt “more encouraged than anything.” Sure, the prolonged losing streak is frustrating, but at least Edmonton played a good game. It’s possible to look at that loss as a step in the right direction, but given how long this has been going on for, there’s an alternative view:
Bad teams find a way to lose #Oilers
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) December 4, 2014
The Oilers can lose any way you want to beat them. Blown lead? Blowout? Horse tranqs in the water bottles? Banana peel? Falling piano? TWO f
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) December 4, 2014
After all, it’s been so bad in Edmonton that you could have -- in hindsight -- made a good living betting against them:
If you had bet against the #Oilers in each of the last 11 games and parlayed the winnings, your $100 bet is now worth $33,310.38.
— SportingCharts (@sportingcharts) December 4, 2014
And the Oilers years of shortcomings are particularly remarkable given the era we’re in:
11 losses in the row in a hard-cap, parity galore system is an incredible accomplishment. Take a bow, Oilers.
— Bryan Hayes (@HayesTSN) December 4, 2014
There have been 6 losing streaks of 11 games or longer since the start of the 2009-10 season...the #Oilers own 3 of them
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 4, 2014
One of the most frustrating aspects of this for Oilers fans might be the play of the rival Calgary Flames. They started their rebuild after the Oilers and the Flames already seem to be in a far better state than them, as former Calgary GM Jay Feaster was happy to note:
YEHHHH BABY!!! You can put it in the LOSS column, #Oilers! Entire time I was in Calgary all I heard was how far ahead they were of #Flames
— Jay Feaster (@therealjfeaster) December 4, 2014
Speaking of how Oilers fans must feel after nearly a decade of struggles, one such fan recorded his thoughts and they might resonate with many others.
Finally, this picture sums up the Edmonton Oilers in a way few things can: