The comeback was fun. But the game that put the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-2 hole is the one they’ve been trying to eradicate all season long.

“We were a little soft in front of the net,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch after a 5-4 loss in Columbus. “Whether they were deflecting pucks, or getting inside of us… There were multiple goals (against) like that.”

The Oilers have lost the net front at both ends of the rink on far too many nights this season. Like losing the line of scrimmage in football, you won’t win many games when the other team dominates the low slot at both ends.

This game had more of that, with multiple Columbus goals coming on tips, close-in rebounds, or shots from inside eight feet.

“We’re giving up too many looks from the slot,” said defenceman Darnell Nurse, “and making

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