Oilers\u2019 Leon Draisaitl doubles down on critical comments: \u2018We all have to look in the mirror\u2019<\/p>\n
The German Olympian<\/a> spoke to team media for the first time after rejoining the team, skating in his first practice in Anaheim ahead of the Oilers\u2019 clash with the Ducks tomorrow night.\u00a0Before the break, his no-sugarcoating-it comments shook up Oilersnation<\/a>, saying from top to bottom, including coaching, everyone needs to better.\u00a0<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t walk any of that sentiment back.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe just have to be better. I stick to what I said,\u201d Draisaitl said Tuesday<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not just players have to be better, we all have to look in the mirror. It starts at the top. It goes all the way down. That\u2019s just the way it is. And that\u2019s not a knock at everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to throw anyone under the bus by any means. If anything, I throw myself first under the bus. But it\u2019s just a fact. We have to be better, and we got to change some things. We\u2019re in a race right now, with 20-some games left. We can\u2019t be cruising around like maybe in years past, a little bit. We got to get going and, yeah, I stand by what I say, and I think everyone would probably agree that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Draisaitl said after the Oilers\u2019 loss to Calgary on February 4 that the team wasn\u2019t consistent enough, squandering an eight-game homestand and going 4-5 to end the slate.<\/p>\n Since then, the Oilers have also added Paul Coffey behind\u00a0the bench<\/a> as an assistant coach.Although they sit second<\/a> in the Pacific Division with a 28-22-8 record, four points back of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Oilers are eighth in the Western Conference in points percentage.\u00a0This western California roadtrip<\/a> is consequential. If the Ducks beat the Oilers in regulation, Anaheim would leapfrog Edmonton in the standings.\u00a0<\/p>\n Draisaitl said there aren\u2019t many games that aren\u2019t important at this stage of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the position we\u2019re in. We got to win games. We have to bank in points and secure our spot in the playoff race,\u201d said Draisaitl.\u00a0\u201cThey\u2019re [Anaheim] a good team. They\u2019ve had a great year. They\u2019ve taken a big step, so it\u2019s going to be a challenge.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s three games in four days for the Oilers. Their first game back is Tuesday, March 3 against the Ottawa Senators.<\/p>\n