Examining the numbers behind Oilers' slow start

Last season, the Oilers started 3-9-1 before firing head coach Jay Woodcroft and replacing him with Kris Knoblauch, helping spring a 16-game win streak en route to a Stanley Cup runner-up finish. Can they find their footing this season? They'll have to improve in a few areas to do so.

Goaltending

Edmonton's goaltending has struggled mightily, with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard sporting .845 and .778 save percentages, respectively. The Oilers rank at the bottom of the league for goals saved above expected: 

To improve, Edmonton needs better results in the net. The team is tied for the league's fourth-fewest shots on net per game at 24.8. With better goaltending, it should see better results.

Production from stars

The Oilers have one of the deeper rosters in the NHL, with superstars McDavid and Draisaitl, 50-goal scorer Zach Hyman, elite offensive defenseman Evan Bouchard and wingers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jeff Skinner. Those players have a combined four goals, two by Draisaitl. 

To repeat their playoff run, the Oilers — who next play Thursday at Nashville — need their top players to get going. Currently, Edmonton ranks 31st in goals for per game with just a 1.75 average, and the offensive struggle is a big reason why it has won just one game so far.

The good news for the Oilers, however, is that despite their scoring and goaltending woes, their defensive game has improved massively, with their five-vs.-five expected goals against (2.27) among the league's best at 10th:

If Stuart Skinner can bounce back from a poor start, McDavid can start producing like the best player in the world again, and the top six can find its groove, which should put the Oilers once again on top of the Pacific Division. 

After nearly winning a Stanley Cup last season, expectations are high in Edmonton, and anything less than a major turnaround will have fans wondering if this core can truly accomplish its ultimate goal.