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Playoffs??? Oilers drop first three games after Christmas break

Cam Talbot

Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf (15) and Edmonton Oilers’ Matt Hendricks (23) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2015. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

AP

A few days before Christmas, the Edmonton Oilers touted the importance of the games that awaited them after the break. If they wanted to stay in the playoff race, they needed to get some good results.

It has not gone well.

They blew a 3-1 lead in their first outing, losing 5-3 to the Flames. Then they lost 5-2 to the Kings. And last night, they were stifled, 1-0, by the Ducks.

“It was just a boring game, we just couldn’t find our rhythm,” said Oilers winger Taylor Hall, per Reuters. “We are a rush team and we struggled to get pucks in their end and create stuff. It was just a tough night and a boring game. But we have to get to point where we are winning those games.”

The Oilers were in a playoff spot on Dec. 14. They were three points out going into the break. That deficit is now five points. And the San Jose Sharks, the current holders of third place in the Pacific Division, have three games in hand.

Standings

Another big game awaits the Oilers on Saturday when they host Arizona. If they don’t turn it around soon, it’ll be maybe-next-year time again in Edmonton.