Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are 9-1-2 and Connor McDavid is on pace for the best regular season of the 21st century, so why does it feel like something is off? On this Overreaction Wednesday edition of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis looks at five early-season storylines from the 2026-27 NHL season and decides which ones are real and which are noise. The topics are Tristan Jarry’s struggles in net, life without Mattias Ekholm, Ike Howard’s usage, whether to split McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and whether Mike Babcock’s stubbornness will be the team’s undoing.
First up is the goaltending. With Devon Levi on injured reserve, Tristan Jarry is back in the crease, and Nick explains why the jump from franchise starter to once-a-week backup has been so hard on him mentally. Jarry came into Monday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings with an .873 save percentage, well below the league average of .892, and his long gaps between starts have made it nearly impossible to find a rhythm. Once Levi and Frederik Andersen are both healthy, Jarry could end up as the expensive odd man out.
Next, Nick puts numbers behind the Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard pairing. Over three years they have controlled close to 60% of shot attempts, goals, expected goals and high-danger chances, which makes them one of the most dominant defence pairs in the NHL. Bouchard’s numbers hold up surprisingly well without Ekholm, and Mukhamadullin had a solid night on Bouchard’s side against Detroit. That leads Nick to walk back the idea that Ekholm can’t be replaced, though Ekholm still clearly raises Edmonton’s ceiling.
The biggest frustration is how Ike Howard is being used. The former Hobey Baker winner from Michigan State scored his first goal of the season on the power play against Detroit, but he’s still playing about nine minutes a night on the fourth line. Nick argues that playing a skilled scorer like Howard in a grinding role wastes what he is, and that it also lowers his trade value if Edmonton plans to move him. He also points out the double standard: Alex Formenton keeps his spot despite losing board battles, including the Viktor Arvidsson stick-lift that led to Detroit’s goal
04:58 Jarry's confidence and performance struggles
08:05 Ekholm and Bouchard's Dominance
12:54 Playing Ike Howard on 4th Line
13:53 Potential of Ike Howard for Oilers
20:07 Talking hockey gear and promo
23:01 Discussing Oilers' player performance
24:33 Criticism of Formenton's board play
28:02 Oilers relying on star players
Oilers OVERREACTIONS: Is Babcock’s Stubbornness Costing Edmonton it's season?
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The Edmonton Oilers blew three separate one-goal leads to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night and fell 4-3 in a shootout. That loss cost them a chance to move into first place in the Western Conference. On this Tuesday edition of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down why the check engine light is flashing in Edmonton, even with the Oilers sitting atop the Pacific Division with just one regulation loss through 12 games. The results look great, but the process underneath them is a different story.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard keep delivering all-world performances, and Vasily Podkolzin scored his eighth goal of the season. But what happens when the big guns aren’t on the ice? Nick looks at the Oilers’ depth problem in detail. The Hyman–Kapanen–Nugent-Hopkins line produced zero shot attempts. The Joseph–Michaels–Formenton line posted a 5% expected goals share. Bouchard logged 31:41 of ice time in a regular-season game, and McDavid played nearly 27 minutes. Mike Babcock’s insistence on keeping McDavid and Draisaitl together is making Edmonton dangerously top-heavy.
In the middle segment, Nick explains how a less talented Detroit team beat Edmonton with process: forechecking, cycling, and playing for territory. The Red Wings rank third in high-danger chances and eighth in expected goals despite sitting seventh in the Atlantic. Nick walks through all three Detroit goals. He covers Viktor Arvidsson’s power-play one-timer off a Lucas Raymond feed, the Alex Formenton turnover behind the net that led to Emmitt Finnie’s goal, and Dylan Larkin’s 6-on-5 equalizer threaded through four Oilers defenders. He also gives Tristan Jarry a pass and credits Mukhamadullin’s solid night on the top pair with Bouchard.
05:26 Detroit's underlying numbers discussion
06:19 Concerns with Oilers' lineup balance
15:41 Arvidsson's impressive defensive play
17:12 Breakdown of defensive mistakes
22:48 Evaluating Player Performances
23:44 Lineup adjustments and player strategies
Oilers Blow 3 Leads to Red Wings: Why McDavid & Draisaitl Can’t Do It Alone
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The Edmonton Oilers suffered their first regulation loss of the 2026-27 NHL season Saturday night, a 7-2 blowout at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs. On this Monday edition of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis explains why this was the worst-case scenario for this version of the Oilers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still found the scoresheet and the power play converted, but Edmonton failed to score a single even-strength goal. Toronto repeatedly burned the Oilers in transition, and that combination is a warning sign worth taking seriously.
Nick breaks down how the Maple Leafs used long stretch passes to generate 2-on-1s and 3-on-2s against Tristan Jarry. Easton Cowan and the Leafs found open ice through the neutral zone, while the Oilers’ defense struggled without Mattias Ekholm. Using line-by-line even-strength data from Natural Stat Trick, Nick compares the top six to the bottom six. The numbers show how lopsided Edmonton’s lineup has become with Max Jones, Colton Dach, Filip Hallander, Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph playing major roles.
The episode also explores why transition play is where modern NHL games are won and lost, and why hockey IQ separates gifted players from merely talented ones. Nick uses Sidney Crosby, Jack Roslovic and Braden Schneider as examples of how processing speed and positioning define a player’s ceiling. He then examines the strange position the Oilers are in this season. Mike Babcock, a new coach, Stan Bowman’s return as GM, a mounting injury list and Connor McDavid’s contract situation all hang over a team that has otherwise started strong.
In the final segment, Nick digs into Edmonton’s goaltending with Devon Levi on injured reserve and Tristan Jarry ranking near the bottom of the league in save percentage and goals saved above expected. He previews a softer upcoming schedule against Detroit, Calgary, the Islanders, Rangers, Devils, Anaheim and Utah. Nick also makes the case that the Oilers may need to break up the McDavid, Draisaitl and Podkolzin line to build a more balanced lineup
04:27 Toronto's offensive strategy against Oilers
08:08 Discussing Oilers' recent loss
10:51 Oilers lineup struggles and challenges
13:47 Oilers' lineup strategy discussion
17:36 Discussing player potential and challenges
22:57 Jarry's performance and team impact
24:09 Tristan Jarry's performance struggles
27:21 Wrap-up and thank you
Oilers Blown Out 7-2 by Leafs: Is It Time to Split McDavid & Draisaitl?
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The Edmonton Oilers erased a 4-2 deficit against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes and won 6-5 in a shootout in one of the wildest games of the young NHL season. On this Victory Friday edition of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis covers the full emotional swing of a back-and-forth game that felt like a playoff matchup in October. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each put up five points, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added two in his season debut. Edmonton also improved to two separate three-game win streaks before November, something last year’s team didn’t manage until January.
Carolina controlled long stretches of this game with its trademark forecheck and structure. The Oilers managed just four even-strength shot attempts through 40 minutes and only 12 at 5-on-5 all night. Nick explains why the Hurricanes are among the hardest teams in the NHL to play against, how they pull opponents into the “deep end of the pool,” and why Edmonton’s patience kept them in a game that was slipping away. He also looks at the warning signs, including when McDavid starts trying to bully his way to the net alone and the team’s system breaks down.
The power play went 3-for-5 for the second straight game, and Nick discusses whether a 60% power play can carry a top-heavy lineup and what that means for the bottom three lines. The night also came at a real cost. Mattias Ekholm left after hitting his head on the ice, which could mean more minutes for Jake Walman, Ryan Shea, and Shakir Mukhamadullin. Nick also credits goaltender Devon Levi for a better performance than his five goals against on 27 shots suggest.
To close, Nick puts the win in context. McDavid is on a pace near three points per game, and the season carries the pressure of his contract situation. Is this way of winning sustainable? Probably not. Is it a sign this Oilers team has the fortitude good teams need? It’s getting hard to argue otherwise.
03:56 Oilers vs. Carolina gameplay analysis
07:22 Ekholm's impact despite injury
12:02 Promoting Odoo business platform
16:19 Oilers' early season success
19:32 Analysis of Oilers vs. Hurricanes game
22:35 Carolina's unique game control
23:58 Oilers under pressure and McDavid shines
27:11 Team lineup changes and recent win
Oilers STUN Hurricanes in 6-5 Shootout Comeback | McDavid & Draisaitl 5 Points Each
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The Edmonton Oilers didn’t play their best hockey against the Minnesota Wild, but they still found a way to win in overtime. On today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down how Edmonton came from behind against one of the NHL’s best front-running teams. Minnesota scored first and controlled long stretches at even strength. The Oilers hung around long enough to steal two points.
Special teams decided this one. The Oilers went 3-for-5 on the power play, including a goal with three seconds left in the first period and the overtime winner. The much-maligned penalty kill went a perfect 3-for-3. Devon Levi delivered the goaltending Edmonton needed while the top line of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin was outchanced and outscored at 5-on-5 by Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes and the Wild.
Nick also digs into one of the most underrated stats in hockey: how teams perform when the opponent scores first. The Oilers are 5-0-0 when they open the scoring and 2-1-1 when they trail first. That’s a sharp turnaround from last season’s 11-25-6 mark, and Nick compares it with Edmonton’s back-to-back Stanley Cup Final runs. He also covers the fourth line of Isaac Howard, Filip Hållander and Trent Frederic, which tilted the ice in its limited minutes.
Finally, Nick explains why it’s time to stop worrying about sustainability and start counting the points. Edmonton’s power play ranks second in the NHL at 31 percent, while the penalty kill sits 22nd at 74 percent. With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins nearing a return and a top-heavy lineup still battling injuries, every early-season win banks leeway for April. If the Oilers keep winning games they probably shouldn’t, Nick argues, this team is better than its underlying numbers suggest
How the Oilers STOLE an OT Win vs. the Wild | Edmonton Oilers Power Play Breakdown
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Bauer
Bring your game to life with the BAUER PULSE 2 stick, available at your local Bauer retailer or online at https://bauer.com. Use promo code LOCKEDON26 to get free standard shipping on your order. One code use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discount codes.
Indeed
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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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