Oilers’ new identity: Edmonton embraces Blue Collar Boys style of play - Oilers Nation
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Somewhere in Edmonton, there’s a shiny sports car for sale because the organization traded it in for a pickup truck. Remember when high-vis vests were draped over the seats at Rogers Place on opening night? That wasn’t by accident; the high-flying Edmonton Oilers have become the Blue Collar Boys. Yesterday, Connor McDavid described the Oilers’ new identity. “Yeah, it’s hard-working. It’s a hard-working group,” said the team captain. A new era has begun in Oil Country. It might not be as exciting, but boring hockey is sometimes needed. Lots of boring teams have won Stanley Cups, and even the skilled Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning play hard and check well. The RebrandAfter last year’s disappointing season, the Oilers decided enough was enough. The organization realized their team defence had to improve or the Stanley Cup was out of the question. Sean Panganiban wrote about this in May: “In the regular season (last season), the Oilers ranked 25th in goals against (265), and of the seven teams that gave up more goals than them, only one qualified for the playoffs.” Edmonton gave up the puck a lot, and the opposition had numerous high-danger chances.
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