Mike Babcock wasn't celebrating after the Oilers' 9-7 win in Vancouver last night, even with Connor McDavid putting up five points.
"We got three out of a possible four points and we've got tons of examples where we gotta get better," Babcock said.
Then came the line that will echo in the dressing room. "We gotta learn how to play a whole 60, not just 30."
He's not wrong. Edmonton has scored 14 goals through two games and allowed 13.
Those numbers win the occasional track meet. They don't hold up over a full season.
In the clip, Babcock opens with the points in the standings, then pivots straight to the list of things that have to get better.
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Devon Levi and the Oilers defence own the other 30 minutes
Devon Levi made 15 saves on 22 shots in his first start of the season. He got almost no help from the structure in front of him.
McDavid had a goal and four assists, and Leon Draisaitl scored twice. The talent at the top is doing its job.
Kasperi Kapanen added the game-winner shorthanded, after Babcock moved him into Isaac Howard's spot on the second line during camp.
Babcock also said this week there's no such thing as too much aggression. Playing a full 60 means figuring out where aggression ends and recklessness begins.
Three points out of four is a gift. A team leaking goals like this should be sitting on one, and Babcock knows it.
Playing 30 good minutes is like studying for half the exam and hoping the other half is multiple choice.
Seattle visits Saturday for the next test. Stan Bowman will be watching whether the second 30 finally shows up.
The points are in the bank. But the habits that nearly gave away last night's win are the same ones that cost the Oilers their opener.
Did the Oilers deserve three out of four points in Vancouver?
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