The Edmonton Oilers, despite boasting superstar Connor McDavid—winner of three Hart Memorial Trophies—are struggling to keep pace with the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings took a 2-0 series lead Wednesday night with a 6-5 win at Crypto.com Arena, marking the second straight game in which Edmonton surrendered six goals.
Goaltending has come under heavy scrutiny, with Stuart Skinner allowing six goals in Game 1 and five more in Game 2 before being replaced by backup Calvin Pickard, who allowed one goal on just three shots.
Despite the mounting pressure, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch remained optimistic. “There’s absolutely no quit with this group. It’s not an ideal position being down two games, but certainly no panic,” he said during the postgame press conference, as shared via the team’s official X account.
Knoblauch’s comments, however, sparked backlash from fans online. Many questioned his calm demeanor, pointing to the team being badly outplayed across both games. One frustrated fan wrote,
“No panic, when we’ve been significantly outplayed all series? Special teams is [expletive]. That’s why you’re getting fired in the offseason, KK.” Others were even more blunt: “No panic? You crazy yo!” and “There should be panic, and you don’t deserve to be a coach.”
The Oilers have been outscored 12-7 through two games, and the Kings’ special teams have played a major role—scoring three goals on five power-play chances in Game 2. Edmonton, in contrast, failed to convert on all three of their power-play opportunities.
With the series shifting to Edmonton, the Oilers face a critical moment—both on the ice and in the eyes of their increasingly frustrated fanbase.
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