The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to disappointing starts in each of the last two seasons but can they break the cycle this year? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, we dive deep into the historical context behind Edmonton's slow starts and what needs to change. 

With The Athletic ranking the Oilers as the #2 "win-now" team in the NHL behind only Dallas, the pressure is mounting for immediate results. Host Nick Zararis explains why this upcoming season feels like do-or-die time, especially with Connor McDavid's contract situation looming and key veterans aging out of their primes. We also explore how other championship teams like Tampa Bay, Colorado, and Vegas took years to build their winning culture - and whether Edmonton has learned enough from their two Stanley Cup Final appearances to finally break through

1:32 - Why Historical Context Matters in Hockey 

3:14 - Breaking Down Last Season's Problems 

3:57 - 2024-25 Season Stats: 7-7-1 Start Analysis 

4:41 - Roster Turnover and Chemistry Issues 

6:06 - Darnell Nurse's Limited Preseason Impact 

6:46 - Connor McDavid's 2023 Overtraining Admission 

7:07 - 2023-24 Disaster: The Jay Woodcroft Era

 8:35 - First Break 

10:32 - Why Getting Off to Good Starts Matters 

13:04 - The Mental Grind of an 82-Game Season 

14:29 - How Bad Starts Led to Great Runs 

18:26 - Second Break

 19:25 - Do or Die: Championship Window Analysis 

20:52 - Building for the Future vs. Win-Now Mode 

24:55 - Preseason's Role in Success 

25:38 - Chris Knoblauch's Growth as Coach 

27:46 - Wrap-Up 

Why the Edmonton Oilers Keep Starting Slow - Will 2024-25 Be Different? 

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