Dallas Eakins on the Oilers: 'It’s like we love misery'

The Edmonton Oilers held a closed-door meeting after Saturday's 6-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. After his team suffered its sixth straight loss and was shut out for the third time in five games, head coach Dallas Eakins placed the onus squarely on his players, telling the Edmonton Journal they have to choose to be done with all the losing. 

It’s like we love misery. I’ve had enough misery already and we have some players who have been here for a number of years. They have to be done with it. There has to be a change in the commitment level and the accountability — not from me but from within the room. That’s where it has to start.

Eakins added change has to come from within the locker room.

I can sit guys out. I can yell at them, you can do all these things as a coach but you need guys in the room really holding each other accountable and not looking the other way.

Edmonton's lack of recent success is no secret, but the amount of top-level talent amassed over the past few years had many believing the Oilers could and should challenge for a playoff spot this season.

However, after Saturday's loss, Edmonton dropped to 11-24-3 on the season and, with 25 points in 38 games, they sit in 29th place, just four points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres.