"I don't think there's enough desperation": HC Kris Knoblauch gives his opinion on why Edmonton Oilers have lost three straight games

The Edmonton Oilers had their third loss on Sunday, after falling 4-1 to arch-rivals the Calgary Flames in the first "Battle of Alberta" matchup of the 2024-25 season.

The Oilers are facing significant challenges as the offense is struggling, having scored only three goals while conceding 15 this season. The alarming statistic underscores a major disconnect in their gameplay as the team has failed to find the back of the net consistently.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch addressed concerns about the Oilers' puck play and overall connection on the ice, acknowledging the difficulty in pinpointing the situation. When asked about the team's emotional level and intensity, Knoblauch said the players must approach the game with more desperation.

Knoblauch stressed that playing with desperation is crucial in the league, and currently, the Oilers are lacking that intensity, which contributed to their three straight losses:

"Obviously, we have to play with more desperation. When you had a season like we did last year and come back with expectations being really high, I don’t think there's enough desperation. I think we feel like we can just show up, play hockey, and that’s good enough. But this game's about playing with desperation, and right now, we're lacking that."

The Oilers coach also talked about the importance of confidence for his players, particularly the offensive players who are currently not performing at their usual level.

However, Knoblauch acknowledged the team is struggling to find that confidence early in the season. Coupled with their defensive issues, where they have been conceding goals at an alarming rate.

Jeff Skinner scores first goal for Edmonton Oilers

Despite the loss, one positive takeaway for the Oilers was Jeff Skinner's debut goal for the club. He joined the Oilers in July as a free agent and scored to put the team up 1-0 just 1:16 into the first period.

The Oilers attempted to extend their lead, but a goal from Corey Perry was disallowed due to goalie interference late in the third period. The Flames fought hard and scored four goals to secure an impressive 4-1 win in a high-stakes matchup.

The Oilers will travel to the Wells Fargo Arena to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday with the puck scheduled to drop at 10 p.m. ET.