Bruce Boudreau Has Warning for the Edmonton Oilers About Another Slow Start

Boudreau spoke about the Oilers similar slow start to last season, where they cratered to a record of 2-9-1 before firing Jay Woodcroft. The Oilers turned it around with a 16 game win streak, and Boudreau wanted to never really expect something like that again - the Oilers need points now to keep pace in the standings.

TSN also created quite the unique graphic for Boudreau's segment. It's, festive. For sure.

Boudreau's message to treat these games as important as games in late March is totally correct. The Oilers should be competing for the president's trophy and jockeying for home ice advantage through the entire playoffs, and another brutal start could eliminate that possibility.

Nobody truly believes the Oilers are out of it yet with this minority slow start, but if it gets any worse, it will be near impossible to replicate last year's 16 game win streak.

After that, Boudreau also had some advice for Coach Knoblauch on how to get the most out of the slumping Zach Hyman. After scoring over 50 last year, Hyman has no goals or points in his first 7 games, and he's often been swapped out on the first line. Boudreau suggests the Oilers should be double shifting Hyman instead, to allow him to find his groove and get out of the slump.

It's not like Coach Knoblauch is going to hear this advice and change his methods, but Boudreau's message does carry some weight as a veteran NHL coach. He still believes the Oilers are a cup-contender this season, but judging by the first couple weeks. They sure don't look like one.