Playing faster is a priority for the Edmonton Oilers in order to snap their three-game losing streak.
It’s not about skating faster, but about playing with more crispness and detail.
“I’m sure we can work into position better,” Oilers head coach Todd McLellan explained after Sunday’s practice at Rogers Place. “I think we can puck support better. We can pass the puck better. We can read and react better. Those are the four areas we can massage our team a little bit to get quicker.”
The Oilers had trouble stringing successful passes together in Saturday’s 6-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers fall flat again in lopsided loss to Ottawa Senators
“We just have to be sharp. We have to get in positions. We have to support each other,” winger Zack Kassian said. “When we lose games, we start to stretch it out. We’re not playing as a five-man unit. We’re far away from each other. We’re trying to feather passes.”
Leon Draisaitl once again didn’t skate on Sunday. He hasn’t been on the ice since Monday’s loss to Winnipeg. What started as an eye problem could now be something more serious.
READ MORE: Leon Draisaitl out as Edmonton Oilers wrap up three days of hard practice
McLellan added that forward Drake Caggiula has been placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Late Sunday afternoon, the Oilers tweeted that forward Brad Malone had been called up from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
The Oilers will host Carolina on Tuesday.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Oilers’ 2017-18 season.
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Edmonton Oilers coach grateful for time before team’s next game -
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Edmonton Oilers’ McDavid clocked going over 40 km/h while scoring goal against the Calgary Flames -
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Oilers speak to reporters after winning home opener against the Flames -
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19-year-old Kailer Yamamoto’s first Oilers game -
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Edmonton Oilers kick off NHL season with Battle of Alberta
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