A 3-2 loss at Rogers Arena in Game 5 of their Western Conference second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks puts the Oilers’ collective back up against the proverbial wall as the series moves to Rogers Place for Game 6 on Saturday (6 p.m., Sportsnet, CBC).

The Canucks have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and are one win away from eliminating an Oilers team that boasts the top three scoring leaders of the playoffs.

1. McPULL YOUR HEAD OUT, ALREADY

And not just you, Connor, but Zach Hyman too. How on Earth have the Canucks managed to so effectively negate both Edmonton’s top points leader and top goal scorer of the regular season?

McDavid has a goal and five assists in five games. The problem with a point-per-game player lies in the fact the team that’s built around him being used to the fact he’s a 1.5 point-per-game player on his career. And that extra fraction can add up to a big difference in a series where every game so far has been decided by a single goal. He has one assist to show for his past three games.

2. BE MORE EVEN, LESS EVAN

There is no denying the offensive impact defenseman Evan Bouchard has had on the Oilers all season, let alone this series. But if the yin to his game-winning-goal yang results in him coughing up a puck in his own zone that ends up in the back of Edmonton’s net, then he might as well go ahead and sit the rest of it out.

He couldn’t have picked better spots for two of his three goals in the series than the game-winners he came up with in overtime in Game 2 and in the dying seconds of Game 4.

Of course, the flip side was the entirely avoidable turnover so lackadaisically pulled off in the second period of Game 5 that allowed the Canucks back in it with the tying goal. Good luck trying to pull back any sort of momentum after that one.

3. PICK IT UP FOR PICKARD

Calvin Pickard could very well have salvaged the series after being brought in to replace a struggling Stuart Skinner in Games 3 and 4.

The 10-year veteran has looked anything but the journeyman handle that has accompanied his career up to this point, sparking the Oilers back into gear with performances that have only proven head coach Kris Knoblauch’s faith in the backup goaltender.

But Pickard can hardly do it all on his own and needs every little piece of run support his offence can muster. Or at the very least, have his teammates in front of him show a bit more zest when it comes to clearing pucks out of the zone.

4. DROP THE DUMP AND CHASE

The strategy — if you can even call it that — of flipping the puck into the offensive zone and going after it might have worked against the 1-3-1 neutral-zone-clogging formation of the Los Angeles Kings a series ago.

But all it has led to for the majority of the Vancouver series is a host of one-and-done entries that have appeared little more than nuisances to the retrieving Canucks defenders. Typically, it only leads to shots from the perimeter. And not always shots on net, either.

If that’s the only answer the Oilers can come up with to counter the Canucks’ momentum-grabbing play style, then what a waste of incredible offensive talent. Give Rick Tocchet a raise.

5. STOP TRYING TO MAKE IT LOOK PRETTY

For the love of all things hockey, you don’t need to try and pass a perfect Picasso when a regular ol’ stickman will do.

Better yet, maybe slow down on the passing altogether and go for more shots on net.

It’s not that much of a stretch to say McDavid has put more effort into spinning 360s with the puck than he has in shooting it this season.

The Oilers are 5-2 when outshooting the opposition in these playoffs, including both wins against the Canucks so far.

While it’s no guarantee (hello, outshooting them 45-18 in a Game 3 loss!), it’s still the best formula for success.