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Debunking Oilers Criticisms |
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We've all heard the criticisms of the Edmonton Oilers before. "Two man team." "Powerplay merchants." "No defense." Today I'm going to try to put some of those to bed.
While in past years many of those claims were warranted, that is not the case anymore. Let's see how those claims hold up for the Oilers of last season and the Oilers of this season under Knoblauch.
Let's check those claims
TWO MAN TEAM
Plenty of non-Oilers (and some Oilers) fans have stated this team is carried by McDavid and Draisaitl.
22/23 SEASON
McDavid on ice 5 on 5: 75GF - 62GA
Draisaitl on ice 5 on 5: 74GF - 70GA
McDavid and Draisaitl not on the ice: 74GF - 60GA
The rest of the team certainly was carrying their own weight. Obviously the top two lines are going to produce more but the rest of the team was still collectively outscoring their opponents.
23/24 SEASON - UNDER KRIS KNOBLAUCH
McDavid on ice 5 on 5: 35GF - 20GA
Draisaitl on ice 5 on 5: 23GF - 18GA
McDavid and Draisaitl not on the ice: 17GF - 15GA
Again while the Oilers best players are their best players, the supporting cast away from them are outscoring their opponents; albeit by a smaller margin. Since December 1st these numbers are better (11-6) but the bottom six is still an area that needs upgrading come trade deadline.
POWERPLAY MERCHANTS
22/23 PP Goals - 89 (1st in the NHL)
22/23 5 on 5 Goals - 191 (5th in the NHL)
The Oilers PP last season was one of the best in NHL history. The next best PP was the Senators with 72. Edmonton scored 17 more PP goals than the next best team. While the PP was dominant, it isn't like they weren't getting the job down otherwise. The Oilers were 5th in the league at 5 on 5 scoring.
23/24 PP Goals - 21 (9th in the NHL)
23/24 5 on 5 Goals - (5th in the NHL)
The one area that this team is struggling is the PP just hasn't been clicking. At 5 on 5 this team is still a threat and 9th in PP goals is still in the upper third of the league. The Oilers are on an 11 game winning streak and their powerplay has been mediocre throughout. Edmonton has had the 26th ranked PP over this 11 game stretch.
NO DEFENSE
22/23 Penalty Kill - 64GA (26th in NHL)
22/23 5 on 5 Goals Against - 168 (17th in the NHL)
Last season there were certainly arguments to be made about the Oilers defensive struggles. While the Oilers did great things under Jay Woodcroft, one area he could just never get to click was the penalty kill.
At 5 on 5 the Oilers were about as average as you could be. Not a horrendous defensive team but also not nearly good enough for the Cup aspirations that they had.
23/24 Penalty Kill - 11GA (3rd in NHL)
23/24 5 on 5 Goals Against - 48 (4th in the NHL)
These are arguably the most important numbers from this season. Under Kris Knoblauch the Oilers as a group have finally embraced a team defensive game. The forwards, the defenders, and their goalies have all bought in. Edmonton is not only one of the best scoring teams in the NHL but they have become one of the best teams at preventing goals against as well.
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The Oilers have done an excellent job over the past couple seasons at eliminating many of these gripes but this season in particular under Kris Knoblauch, Edmonton is looking like a far more complete team.
The Oilers will look to prove that once again tonight against the Seattle Kraken. Sam Gagner will draw in for Adam Erne but it also looks like Evander Kane will be out with a hand injury.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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