Ken Holland said he is "devastated" by the Oilers' loss to the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Second Round.

The GM repeated the sentiment in his season-ending media availability after the Oilers fell short of their goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

"That's why it's the Stanley Cup, it's hard (to win)," Holland said Wednesday. "We're there, we're banging away, we're pushing. Our guys came out here and they're devastated. I'm devastated, the fan base is devastated. Why are we devastated? Because we went 14-0-1 heading into the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs.

"We're devastated. I have guys in there tell me they're going to the gym next week, they're not going on vacation, they're going to work. That's what these NHL players do, they take a week off after the season and they get back to work. There are no gifts or guarantees or entitlements because it's earned, it's sacrifice and sticking to what you believe. You believe you're good, and that's how you become the last team standing."