from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

It hits them all here in Edmonton, eventually.

We’ve watched it from our seat at the post-game press conferences, year after year and coach after coach. From Todd Nelson to Todd McLellan, from Ralph Krueger to Dallas Eakins.

For each and every one of them, there comes a point where that sobering realization regarding the culture of losing here in Edmonton clubs them over the head, and on Saturday it was Ken Hitchcock’s turn.

It is bigger than he thought. It is bigger than all of them thought.

The culture is broken, and even the third winningest coach in NHL history can’t seem to repair it.

“I don’t have the answers,” said Hitchcock. “But we can’t play this way and actually expect to win hockey games, not at this time of year. Quite frankly, not ever. Maybe in an exhibition game.”

Hitchcock spoke after a 5-2 loss to San Jose in which the score flattered the Oilers. The Sharks cruised through half the game on reserve power, as they have on so many nights in this building....

“You look at us, we’re walking down main street to score a goal — it’s just us and the goalie — and nine seconds later it’s in our net. We can’t do the things we’re doing to ourselves and expect to be a playoff team.”

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Game highlights are below.