The Edmonton Oilers experienced their first taste of defeat in the young 2016-17 season on Sunday, a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres.
Nothing went right for Todd McLellan's club, the poor performance highlighted by a slapshot from center ice that fooled goaltender Cam Talbot, ultimately proving to be the game-winning goal.
Following the loss, McLellan didn't hold back his disappointment.
"We have some foundation and fabric things that we have to continue to fix. Stupidity is one of them," McLellan said postgame, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.
"We just got kicked right between the legs and we deserved it," he added.
The stupidity comment was directed at forward Benoit Pouliot, who was benched for the final two periods after committing two penalties, bringing him to a total of six minor infractions through only three games.
"I knew it was coming. I have to be smarter." Pouliot on being benched for final 40 minutes after taking two penalties.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) October 17, 2016
The underwhelming performance earned Oilers players an extra practice on Monday, which was originally scheduled to be an off day.
"We took tonight off so we'll practice tomorrow," McLellan said.
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