Results & Takeaways: Edmonton Oilers Fail to Buckle Down in Loss to New Jersey Devils

### Game Recap

The Devils came out strong, capitalizing early and often on Oilers miscues. ([The Hockey News][2]) The scoring sequence began with a slick goal by Jack Hughes, who split three defenders and rifled a wrist shot into the net — a sign of how the Oilers’ structure was already being tested. ([Reuters][1]) New Jersey pressed the advantage into the second frame, tacking on another via Jesper Bratt just seconds into the Oilers’ power play. ([The Hockey News][2])

Edmonton managed to respond when Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins converted off a setup from Connor McDavid, cutting the lead to 2-1. ([The Hockey News][2]) However, the third period proved problematic. A short-handed marker by Connor Brown ended any momentum the Oilers hoped to build, and a subsequent turnover led to Hughes’ second goal, putting the Devils up 4-1 before Edmonton finally chipped back two late goals — one by Nugent-Hopkins and a consolation by Curtis Lazar with only seconds remaining. The Devils sealed a 5-3 win when Dawson Mercer poked in an empty-netter. ([The Hockey News][2])

### What Went Wrong for Edmonton

**1. Turnovers and Defensive Breakdown**

The Oilers’ inability to protect the puck and defend with composure cost them repeatedly. Early in the game and into the second period, careless plays in the neutral and defensive zones gave New Jersey prime scoring chances. ([The Hockey News][2])

**2. Lack of Presence in the Hard Areas**

According to Edmonton’s forward Andrew Mangiapane, and backed by game-analysis, the team is failing to bring bodies to the front of the net — a staple of successful offensive play. Instead, they are hanging out wide, on the perimeter, and failing to create chaos in the blue paint. ([Sportsnet.ca][3]) Without net-front traffic, even strong puck-movement becomes sterile.

**3. Power-Play Woes (Again)**

In what is quickly becoming a troubling pattern, Edmonton surrendered a short-handed goal on a power play — marking the second straight outing in which the special teams’ unit did more damage to the Oilers than the opponent. ([Sportsnet.ca][3]) The goal by Connor Brown on a breakaway off a failed sequence underscored how small lapses multiply into scoreboard damage.

**4. Execution, Not Effort**

Postgame, McDavid’s frustration was apparent: “We didn’t seem to get any better today,” he said. ([The Times of India][4]) The sentiment is alarming: effort appears present, but cohesion, structure and polish are missing. With the season still in early weeks, these kinds of misses can snowball.

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### Bright Spots & Small Wins

Despite the loss, there were a few positives worth noting:

* Nugent-Hopkins registered two goals, demonstrating he remains an offensive force. ([Reuters][1])

* Goaltender Calvin Pickard faced several high-danger chances and responded with key stops; the goals against were more the result of breakdowns elsewhere than any glaring goaltender fault. ([The Hockey News][2])

* McDavid continues his point streak (two assists in this game), meaning the top line is still contributing, even if not scoring. ([Reuters][1])

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### What Comes Next?

The Oilers head to Detroit next, looking to reverse course quickly. The message from the locker room is clear: they must simplify their game, tighten structure, and start winning the “little battles” that add up to victories. As McDavid said: “Everybody can be simpler. Everybody can do things a little bit easier, more predictable for each other. Get more pucks to the net, get more bodies to the net.” ([Sportsnet.ca][3])

With the season still young, Edmonton has time to reset — but they cannot afford to let losses like this become a habit. The margin for error in today’s NHL is thin, and teams that under-perform defensively or fail to capitalise on opportunities don’t stay in contention for long.

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* [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/sports/nhl/devils-jack-hughes-racks-up-3-points-drain-oilers–flm-2025-10-18/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nhl/news/we-didnt-seem-to-get-any-better-connor-mcdavid-loses-patience-as-oilers-sloppy-start-exposes-deeper-problems-early-in-the-season/articleshow/124686907.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* [All About The Jersey](https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/devils-game-recaps/62004/jack-hughes-scores-twice-in-new-jersey-devils-5-3-win-over-edmonton-oilers?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

If you like, I can pull up advanced metrics from the game — shot-maps, expected goals, power-play breakdowns — to see *how badly* the Oilers fell behind structure-wise.

[1]: https://www.reuters.com/sports/nhl/devils-jack-hughes-racks-up-3-points-drain-oilers–flm-2025-10-18/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Devils’ Jack Hughes racks up 3 points to drain Oilers”

[2]: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/results-and-takeaways-oilers-fail-to-buckle-down-in-loss-to-devils?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Oilers Fail To Buckle Down In Loss To Devils”

[3]: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-must-get-more-bodies-to-the-net-after-disappointing-loss-to-devils/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Oilers must ‘get more bodies to the net’ after disappointing …”

[4]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nhl/news/we-didnt-seem-to-get-any-better-connor-mcdavid-loses-patience-as-oilers-sloppy-start-exposes-deeper-problems-early-in-the-season/articleshow/124686907.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “\”We didn’t seem to get any better\”: Connor McDavid loses patience as Oilers’

sloppy start exposes deeper problems early in the season”