Mike Babcock says his Oilers got outworked at home in a 7-2 loss to Toronto, and not even Connor McDavid could drag them out of it.
“You know, in your own building on a Saturday night, that should be automatic,” Babcock said. “Should never get out worked.”
He didn't want to say much more in the moment. “I'm gonna go home, get a good night's sleep, then get up tomorrow and think about that.”
“But, for me getting all wound up here right now I mean, I already stood there.” That's a coach who watched every shift of it and didn't need to relive it at the podium.
"If you look at our whole group, we weren't good enough." Babcock said.
The Leafs won their fourth straight. William Nylander led the way with two goals, one on the power play.
Tristan Jarry allowed six goals on 30 shots.
At the other end, Anthony Stolarz stopped 30 of 32. Not bad for a goalie whose name keeps popping up in trade talk.
Leon Draisaitl's two goals couldn't hide the Oilers' depth problem
Draisaitl scored twice on seven shots, and McDavid chipped in two assists. The stars showed up.
The rest of the lineup gave the coach almost nothing. Zach Hyman, Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen were all held off the scoresheet at minus-2.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went minus-3. That's the same issue that hung over Edmonton's strong start: when the top guys sit, the game tilts.
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With Mattias Ekholm out, Ryan Shea logged 25:33 and finished minus-2.
A 7-2 home loss after this kind of start is like a restaurant with rave reviews burning the steak in front of the critic. One night won't close the place, but everybody remembers the smell.
Babcock is right to sleep on it. But “should never get outworked” is a line that only lands once, and if it happens again, the players who asked for him will hear a very different tone.
Detroit visits Monday and Calgary comes in Wednesday. The Leafs get another crack at them November 14 in Toronto.
Should Mike Babcock shake up the Oilers lineup after getting outworked by the Maple Leafs?
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