Mark Spector
@sportsnetspec
Senior columnist Mark Spector is one of Canada’s leading voices on the NHL. Based in Edmonton, Spector gives Canadian hockey fans exclusive insight into the goings-on in NHL franchises while offering opinion and analysis of the Oilers.
Slumping special teams sinking Oilers through early stages of season
Mark Spector
It’s no secret that good special teams win games. And that might be why, after 13 games where their penalty kill is dead last in the NHL and the powerplay languishes in 25th place, the Edmonton Oilers are a pedestrian 6-6-2 in the Pacific, writes Mark Spector.
Oilers keep finding ways to win without McDavid's magic
Mark Spector
McDavid: 'No-brainer' for Crosby to wear 'C' for Canada at 4 Nations
Mark Spector
Connor McDavid says there's no debate. The Oilers star wants Sidney Crosby to captain Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
Knoblauch breaks up Oilers' struggling power play
Mark Spector
The Edmonton Oilers have had the NHL’s best power play over the past six seasons. That hasn't been the case so far this season, prompting coach Kris Knoblauch to experiment with some new units.
Just like at the start of last year, Oilers simply not good enough right now
Mark Spector
Oilers taking cautious approach with slumping power play
Mark Spector
Since assistant coach Glen Gulutzan took over the Edmonton Oilers power play six seasons ago, they have been the best there is. The clip, 27.3 per cent since his arrival, commands respect. Enough respect that even today, with the Oilers not winning and the power play just one-for-15 since the start of the season, it’s not time to change.
Oilers Takeaways: Scoring drought persists in loss to Stars
Mark Spector
When you have the puck for most of the afternoon and walk away with but one lousy goal in garbage time, the question becomes: who gets the most credit for the Edmonton Oilers' scoring drought?
Things We Know: Nurse's increased agency a key to success for Oilers
Mark Spector
Oilers Takeaways: Clutch Kulak, Pickard propel second straight win
Mark Spector
In a town where Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have dominated for years, it was Brett Kulak who notched his first career two-goal game and backup Calvin Pickard who starred in net as the Nashville Predators made the Oilers earn their 4-2 win on Thursday.