The Edmonton Oilers have wrapped up their first of 84 regular-season games, sparking an eruption of emotion inside Rogers Place and across the internet.
Much of it was aimed at goaltender Tristan Jarry, who didn’t sell Oilers fans on being a goalie who turned a corner this off-season after the 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. However, there was joy in Evan Bouchard notching a hat trick and Vasily Podkolzin sending the game to overtime. While it was a thrilling game, it ended in disappointment for the Oilers faithful.
It certainly sparked a reaction on social media.
Same old story for the Oilers. Giveaways in the OZ, rush chances against, easy sailing through the NZ for opponents, sloppy goaltending. It’s game 1 and it’ll take time to get used to Babcock and the new system, but I’m not encouraged. - Lotsryan via X
Unfortunately, this might just be the single most oilers game ever. - ZofiaSafin via X
I don’t know how many That’s Oilers Hockey’s I have left in me and it’s not even October - Cecidrai via X
On god haven’t seen the oilers come out like this in a long time. - Bretzky_84 via X
Nothing can hurt me anymore because of the Edmonton Oilers I have adapted to their insanity and jokes on them I actually get a kick out of this type of thing now. - Itsdraisteam via X
6 GA on 23 shots is unacceptable. Unacceptable. You do whatever you’ve gotta do and get Jarry the f**k off this team. - OilAcumen via X
Don’t like the jarry hate, he played exceptionally well with ahl defense against a 90% nhl canuck team. - Chub_Chub.3.0 via Instagram
All we learned this preseason is jarry would be killer on the condors and is not an NHL goalie. - Chase_Cjparker1 via Instagram
Jars will get better. Made some key saves in the third and OT but this is one game out of 84. Plenty of time to improve and get his game to where it should be. - Anish Singh via Facebook
Oilers put Jarry between the pipes, which seems unfair to the pipes… at least they stop the occasional puck. - John Mallory via Facebook
It’s a storyline that seemingly can’t escape the Oilers. The conversation keeps coming back to the goaltending and who should be between the pipes for Edmonton. However, there was one other player who shined, one who’s also a lightning rod for criticism in this market: Evan Bouchard, who had a record-setting night.
Podkolzin is a dawg and Bouchard is absolutely goated. The only positives for tonight - OilliO_ via X
Connor McDavid had 2 points and Evan Bouchard did something that hadn’t been done since Mark “Tungsten Stick” Howe of the 1980 Hartford Whalers as the Oilers lost 6-5. - MatchsticksCGY via X
Evan Bouchard. have another night like tonight for the rest of the season keep carrying my fantasy team maybe I won’t get last. You’re honestly the best fantasy player because you suck at everything else besides offence ! - HereisLogan1 via X
See Evan Bouchard goals? Wrist it through the shot block lanes with traffic. No shot power needed. Forwards love this shit. Zubov special. Just get it through !!! Shots create chaos. The hardest part is getting through but it can be so easy. - Sh00ter27 via X
On the bright side, Evan Bouchard had 3-2-5 with 75% xG for one of the greatest opening nights in NHL history. I picked a good night to wear this jersey. - GoldenHcky via X
It’s easy to overreact after a game like that. Many will see the result, the goals allowed, and that will be enough for them to decide how this Oilers season will go. Sure, the score is a bit of an eyesore if you’re an Oilers fan. It’s a tad surprising, but fans are somewhat used to this from the team on opening night.
Now we wait for Thursday night to see how they bounce back and shake off the early-season yips.
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