January 18, 2022 by Eric Friesen

It’s hard to find many bright spots with the Edmonton Oilers at the moment, especially after squandering a two-goal lead in third period on Saturday.

The Oilers dropped to 2-10-2 in their last 14 games following their disappointing 6-4 loss to the 30th place Ottawa Senators on Hockey Night in Canada. Still, Brendan Perlini is confident that the Oilers can dig themselves out of this six-week hole.

“It’s no secret what brings success in this league, playing hard, playoff-style hockey,” said Perlini in an interview with Oilers TV on Monday. “I’ve been on has been on the unfortunate side of some losing teams and gone on through streaks like this, and usually the way out of it is [hard practices], competing hard against each other, and everyone pushing to get better. So, it was a good skate out there today, and hopefully we figured out a few things going forward, and can remain positive. And I’m looking forward to the next game.”

Per TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers’ entire practice on Monday consisted on battles drills, including one-on-one, two-on-one and two-on-two game game situations with plenty of intensity. Perlini was elevated to the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto in practice, as Head Coach Dave Tippett hopes that shuffling his lines could help them get back on track.

After scoring six goals in as many games in the pre-season, Perlini was held off the scoresheet in his first 13 games this season. Now, Perlini has three goals and four points in his last five outings, and deserves an opportunity to play higher in the lineup.

“You know what, man? It’s hockey,” said Perlini. “It comes and goes so quickly. For me, honestly, I’m not doing anything outlandishly different than I felt I was at the start of the year. I’m trying to do the same thing, and get pucks on net. That’s kind of my game. And to be buzzing around and shooting a lot out there. So, I don’t feel like anything has really changed. Just get the odd the goal that goes in, right?

“Sometimes it can be so scrutinized, or under a microscope. And at the end of the day, it’s hockey. Go out there and play. Play like you’re a kid on the pond. Enjoy it, have fun, be positive and good things will happen. I think if it’s the other way, and you’re carrying negativity, and bad attitudes, and things like that, it can go down. But the more you bring that positive energy and spirt – I’m a big believer in law of attraction. So, whatever you think about, you bring about.”

Prior to inking a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Oilers on August 7, 2021, Perlini played with the Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old scored at least 14 goals in three consecutive seasons to start his NHL career and a career-high 17 goals with the Coyotes in 2017-18.

Last winter, Perlini didn’t play in the NHL at all. Instead, he signed a one-year deal with HC Ambrì-Piotta in the Swiss NLA. Navigating ups and downs of professional hockey can’t be an easy task, but Perlini has remained positive and focused on the present.

“I’m always an optimistic guy and glass half full type of guy,” said Perlini. “We’ve got some of the best players in the world, the best player in the world, too, in there. So, at any given moment good things can happen. You just have to keep going. That’s life. You’re never going to win every single game, and life is going to be rainbows and clouds. Life is ups and downs, ebbs and flows.

“So, it’s almost really grateful for our group to go through periods like this, because when we’ll get back to winning, it’s like ‘Ah, I like that feeling. I want to keep winning.’ Maybe before we weren’t grateful enough for winning games? And we have to go through something like this to learn and come through it better.”

Simply put, Oilers fans are sick of losing. And the players on the team are surely taking the losses even harder. But listening to a member of the Oilers speak so openly and thoughtfully about what a privilege it is to play in the NHL, and how much he believes they can turn it around, provided a much-needed breath of fresh air for hockey fans across Oil Country.

Perlini gained plenty of new fans with his torrid scoring in the pre-season, and I think he probably added a few more with comments on Monday.