{"id":503565,"date":"2026-03-14T20:34:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T20:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/503565\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T20:34:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T20:34:16","slug":"doug-maclean-drops-hard-truth-on-oilers-defence-and-goaltending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/503565\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug MacLean drops hard truth on Oilers\u2019 defence and goaltending"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Edmonton Oilers<\/a> remain in the playoff race, but questions around defense and goaltending continue to grow. Edmonton holds a 32-26-9 record with 73 points and sits third in the Pacific, despite making it to two straight Stanley Cup<\/a> finals in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. <\/p>\n

The team scores at an elite rate but still struggles to protect its own net.<\/p>\n

Former NHL<\/a> executive Doug MacLean recently shared blunt criticism about the Oilers\u2019 defensive problems. He spoke on Sportsnet with Nick Kypreos and Gord Stellick after Edmonton\u2019s heavy loss to the Dallas Stars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MORE: Oilers\u2019 Tristan Jarry decision under fire after Stars blowout<\/a><\/p>\n

Dallas defeated Edmonton 7-2 in a dominant performance. The defeat highlighted the Oilers\u2019 ongoing defensive issues.<\/p>\n

MacLean said the same concerns have followed Edmonton for years. He noted that players like Connor McDavid<\/a> and Leon Draisaitl<\/a> often discuss the need for stronger team defense. However, he believes the team still has not solved the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t score your way to a championship, unfortunately,\u201d MacLean said. \u201cScoring is great, but you don\u2019t score your way to a championship. You\u2019ve got to be able to defend, and when [Kris] Knoblauch comes in there, I thought they would straighten it out when he came in, and it hasn\u2019t happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) keeps the puck away from Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Edmonton continues to produce goals at a high rate. The club averages 3.51 goals per game, one of the best marks in the NHL. McDavid leads the offense with 111 points, including 37 goals and 74 assists. Draisaitl follows closely behind with 96 points.<\/p>\n

However, the Oilers allow 3.40 goals per game. Their penalty kill also ranks among the league\u2019s weakest units this season. MacLean believes the goaltending situation adds to the problem and questioned the impact of Edmonton\u2019s move to acquire Tristan Jarry.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoaltending there is still a problem,\u201d MacLean said. \u201cIt\u2019s still a major problem. Stan [Bowman] makes a big move on Skinner for Jarry. We said on this show at the time that it was a non-impactful trade. Because it was basically two guys that are the same, that you don\u2019t see as Stanley Cup winners. <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 Team defense starts with great goaltending, that\u2019s where it starts. And they don\u2019t have that, and they don\u2019t have a dedication to playing team defense. A\u201d<\/p>\n

So, according to MacLean, without that foundation, Edmonton will struggle to contend for a championship.<\/p>\n

The Oilers showed similar problems in their next game as well. The St. Louis Blues<\/a> erased a two-goal deficit and won 3-2 in overtime. Robert Thomas scored the game-winning goal with nine seconds left.<\/p>\n

Edmonton still holds a playoff position. But unless the defense improves fast, the team\u2019s Stanley Cup hopes could remain uncertain.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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